Intramammary Infusion of Casein Hydrolysate for Involution of Single Mastitic Mammary Quarters Elevating Cow-Level Somatic Cell Count

Justine Britten,Kerry A Rood,David J Wilson

doi:10.4172/2329-888x.1000211

Abstract

Mastitis in a single quarter can cause high somatic cell counts (SCC), clinical mastitis, and death in dairy cows. Currently, management of these mastitic quarters presents a problem for the dairy industry. Casein hydrolysate (CH) is an intramammary (IMM) infusion treatment reported to induce mammary involution. The primary objectives of this study were to investigate whether IMM CH treatment of single high SCC quarters, followed by cessation of quarter milk production for the remainder of lactation, was effective in reducing cowâlevel SCC and whether that quarter resumed milk production following calving. Three treatment groups were used: CH, non-hydrolyzed casein (NHC), and cessation of milking only (negative; N). Treatments were assigned in a 2:2:1 ratio for 40 cows enrolled in the study; 27 cows completed the entire protocol. Following IMM infusion and involution of the single mastitic quarter, decreases in cowâlevel SCC (-966,000/ml) and milk production (-11 lb (5 kg), -14%) with 3 remaining lactating quarters were significant for all 28 cows combined. Cows treated with CH (n=17) had a significant decrease in cowâ level SCC (-1,150,000/ml) during remaining lactation. All treated quarters returned to milk production after calving, and their proportion of totalâcow milk production (24%) was not different than before treatment (28%). After calving, treated quartersâ decrease in SCC was significant for CH (-2,763,000/ml; n=14) and N (â5,324,000/ml; n=5). Of 16 quarters with positive milk culture before treatment that completed the protocol, 88% (14/16) were cured (no isolation of the same bacteria for 3 weeks following calving). A new intramammary infection (IMI) was detected in 67% (18/27) of previously treated quarters post-calving. Infusing single mastitic quarters with casein hydrolysate to induce involution for the remainder of lactation may be a promising alternative to current methods.

Highlights

Mastitis is the most expensive disease complex in the dairy industry
Intramammary chlorhexidine resulted in some cows regaining full use of the treated quarter in the subsequent lactation but antimicrobial residue was detected 35 to 42 days post infusion by Delvotest® [10] validating the concern that accidental milking of an infused “dry” quarter could lead to antimicrobial residue violations in bulk milk
The average decrease of 1,100,000/ml in cow–level somatic cell counts (SCC) following involution of a single mastitic quarter, and the reduction of SCC in mastitic quarters by over 2.5 million/ml when their milk production resumed after calving provides support for IMM casein hydrolysate as a management option to create three–quartered cows to enhance milk quality

Summary

Introduction

Mastitis is the most expensive disease complex in the dairy industry. Costs include lost milk production, antibiotic treatment, discarded milk because of antibiotic therapy, and death loss. A single mastitic quarter may have an individual SCC of millions per milliliter of milk, impacting the cow-level and bulk tank milk SCC. Previous studies have documented the negative impact that single quarters with extremely elevated SCC can have on the overall quality of bulk tank milk [4]. If cows with a single quarter causing high SCC in their composite milk are undesirable for other health or production reasons, the decision may be made to iodine) or 2% chlorhexidine [8]. Previous studies have shown efficacy of these methods for cessation of milk production in a single mammary quarter but both iodine and chlorhexidine were reported to induce undesired consequences [9]. The off–label IMM of chlorhexidine is not recommended as a method for ceasing milk production in a quarter

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