Investigation of the effect of pegbovigrastim on some periparturient immune disorders and performance in Mexican dairy herds

Abstract

This study analyzed the efficacy of pegbovigrastim (Imrestor, Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN) on some health and production parameters in lactating dairy cows. Primiparous and multiparous Holsteins from 17 Mexican dairy herds (n = 10,238) were included in this study, which was conducted in 2015. Treated cows (n = 5,025) received Imrestor approximately 7 d before expected calving and again within 24 h after calving; control cows (n = 5,213) did not receive a placebo. Clinical mastitis (MAS; 0 to 30 DIM), retained placenta (RP), and clinical metritis (MET; 0 to 21 DIM) occurrences were recorded, as well as the number of medication days, medical treatments needed, and the number of days that milk was discarded due to medication administered for disease. Milk yield was measured from calving until 120 d in milk. Imrestor reduced the incidence of MAS by 25%, and the odds ratio of having mastitis in the first 30 d in milk was 35% greater for control cows than for Imrestor cows. Imrestor treatment reduced the number of medical treatments required for MAS by 6%, and less milk was discarded due to medication for MAS as a result of the Imrestor treatment. The incidence of RP was reduced by 4.15% with Imrestor and the odds of cows having RP were 4.6% greater for control than Imrestor treatments, but they did not differ. The MET incidence was increased by 17.1% with Imrestor. The use of Imrestor around parturition increased by 5.8% the odds of inseminating cows during the first 100 d after calving. Imrestor-treated multiparous cows with MAS produced 2.1 kg/d more milk than control cows with MAS during the first 30 d of their lactation. Imrestor-treated multiparous cows with MET produced 2.3 kg/d more milk than MET control cows during the first 120 d of their lactation. We conclude that Imrestor can help the dairy cow cope with immune periparturient disorders and can increase the milk yield of dairy cows due to a healthier transition, despite a reported increase in the incidence of MET.