Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Effect of intramammary device on new infection rate, milk yield, and milk somatic cell counts in maryland dairy herds.
- Journal:
- Journal of dairy science
- Year:
- 1984
- Authors:
- Corlett, N J et al.
Plain-English summary
Researchers studied the use of a special device placed inside the udders of dairy cows to see if it could help prevent infections in three herds in Maryland over two years. They fitted 62 treated cows with these devices while another 62 cows did not receive any treatment. The treated cows had a lower rate of new infections, particularly from a type of bacteria called Corynebacterium bovis, compared to the untreated cows. However, the device did not significantly improve milk production or fat content, and it was not effective enough to significantly reduce the number of white blood cells in the milk that would help fight off infections. Overall, the device did not work as well as hoped in preventing infections in the cows.
Abstract
Effectiveness of a polyethylene intramammary device against naturally occurring infections was evaluated in three Maryland herds over 2 yr. Treated cows [62] were fitted with intramammary devices in all quarters of udders. Control cows [62] were sham treated. Rates of new intramammary infection over single lactation in treated and control quarters of primiparous cows averaged 18 and 27%. Reduction of infection rate was due primarily to fewer Corynebacterium bovis infections. Infection rate between multiparous cow treatments were similar. In uninfected quarters cell counts in strippings averaged .11 to .13 X 10(6)/ml and in quarters fitted with intramammary devices concentrations were only .22 to .31 X 10(6) cells/ml. But in infected quarters with intramammary devices, cell counts of strippings were 1.38 to 1.48 X 10(6)/ml. Concentrations of somatic cells of strippings in infected quarters without devices averaged .48 to .63 X 10(6)/ml. Dairy herd improvement cell counts for primiparous and multiparous cows with and without intramammary devices were similar and averaged .2 X 10(6)/ml. Neither milk nor fat production differed. The intramammary device as currently designed is incapable of stimulating a leukocytosis sufficient in stripping milk to prevent intramammary infection.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6520267/