Evaluating the effectiveness of two bovine mastitis vaccines and their influences on oxidant and antioxidant capacities of milk.

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to investigate the efficacy of two commercial mastitis vaccines (Startvac® and Mastivac®) and their influence on oxidant and antioxidant capacities of milk samples in a dairy farm. A total of 165 Holstein dairy cows were recruited into the study and were divided into Startvac®, Mastivac®, and control groups. The effects on the incidence and severity of clinical mastitis cases, duration of treatment, infection status, bacteriologic culture, somatic cell count, 5-thio-2-nitrobenzoic acid assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, incidence of metritis and endometritis, and milk yield were evaluated within the first 90 days of lactation. The incidence of clinical mastitis was not significantly different among groups. The mean SCCs during the first, second, and third months of lactation did not differ significantly. The percentage of cured cows did not differ significantly. TNB and FRAP assays were used to know whether or not vaccination against mastitis has an effect on oxidant and antioxidant capacity of milk samples, which did not differ significantly. In conclusion, we observed no significant difference in the abovementioned variables. However, it is possible that applying mastitis vaccines within the specific conditions may have positive effects considering the results of previous studies.