Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Predictive value of prepartum serum metabolites for incidence of clinical and subclinical mastitis in grazing primiparous Holstein cows

  • Regular Articles
  • Published:
Tropical Animal Health and Production Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of this study was to measure changes in biochemical markers in the peripartum period of primiparous Holstein cows diagnosed with subclinical and clinical mastitis. In this study, 37 dairy cows were monitored daily during milking until 60 days postpartum and were categorized according to the occurrence of clinical mastitis (group mastitis (GM), n = 9) or subclinical mastitis (group subclinical mastitis (GSUB), n = 10) or absence of symptoms (control group (CG), n = 18). Blood samples were collected weekly from −30 to 60 days from calving. Samples were grouped for prepartum (−30 to 0 days from calving), early postpartum (0 to 30 days from calving), and late postpartum (30 to 60 days from calving) periods. Prepartum serum non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration was higher in GM than in CG (P < 0.01). In addition, CG had higher prepartum serum glucose concentration than GM (P = 0.03). In the early postpartum period, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity was lower in CG than in GSUB (P < 0.05), and in the late postpartum period, AST activity was lower in CG than GSUB and GM (P = 0.01). Somatic cell count was higher during the early and late postpartum periods for GM and GSUB when compared to CG (P < 0.01). In this study, primiparous cows with low glucose and higher NEFA in the prepartum were more susceptible for mastitis in the early postpartum, probably due to low immune function associated to a more negative energy balance. In sum, increased prepartum serum NEFA concentration and decreased glucose in primiparous cows were associated with clinical mastitis incidence in the postpartum period.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Accorsi, P. A., Govoni, N., Gaiani, R., Pezzi, C., Seren, E. and Tamanini, C., 2005. Leptin, GH, PRL, insulin and metabolic parameters throughout the dry period and lactation in dairy cows. Reproduction Domestic Animals, 40, 217--223.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ballou, M. A., Gomes, R. C., Juchem, S. O. and DePeters, E. J., 2009. Effects of dietary supplemental fish oil during the peripartum period on blood metabolites and hepatic fatty acid compositions and total triacylglycerol concentrations of multiparous Holstein cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 92, 657--669.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bertics, S. J., Grummer, R. R., Cadorniga-Valino, C. and Stoddard, E. E.,1992. Effect of prepartum dry matter intake on liver triglyceride concentration and early lactation. Journal of Dairy Science, 75, 1914--1922.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bertoni, G., Trevisi, E., Han, X. and Bionaz, M., 2008. Effects of Inflammatory Conditions on Liver Activity in Puerperium Period and Consequences for Performance in Dairy Cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 91, 3300--3310.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bionaz, M., Trevisi, E., Calamari, L., Librandi, F., Ferrari, A. and Bertoni, G., 2007. Plasma Paraoxonase, Health, Inflammatory Conditions, and Liver Function in Transition Dairy Cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 90, 1740--1750.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bradley, A., 2002. Bovine mastitis: An evolving disease. Veterinary Journal, 164, 116--128.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carson, M. 2008. The association of selected metabolites in peripartum dairy cattle with health and production. Unpublished MSc dissertation, University of Guelph.

  • Cunha, R. P. L., Molina, L. R., Carvalho, A. U., Facury Filho, E. J., Ferreira, P. M. and Gentilini, M. B., 2008. Mastite subclínica e relação da contagem de células somáticas com número de lactações, produção e composição química do leite em vacas da raça Holandesa. Arquivo Brasileiro Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, 60, 19--24.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Drackley, J.K., 1999. Biology of dairy cows during the transition period: The final frontier? Journal of Dairy Science, 82, 2259--2273.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • De Vliegher, S, Barkema, H.W., Stryhn, H, Opsomer, G and De Kruif, A., 2004. Impact of early lactation somatic cell count in heifers on somatic cell counts over the first lactation. Journal of Dairy Science, 87, 3672--3682.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • De Vliegher, S., Fox, L. K., Piepers, S., McDougall, S. and Barkema, H. W., 2012. Invited review: Mastitis in dairy heifers: Nature of the disease, potential impact, prevention, and control. Journal Dairy Science, 95, 1025--1040.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dyk, P. B., Emery, R. S., Liesman, J. L., Bucholtz, H. F. and Vandehaar, M. J., 1995. Prepartum non-esterified fatty acids in plasma are higher in cows developing periparturient health problems. Journal of Dairy Science, 78, 264.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harmon, R. J., 1994. Physiology of mastitis and factors affecting somatic cell counts. Journal of Dairy Science, 77, 2103--2112.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hammon, D. S., Evjen, I. M., Dhiman, T. R., Goff, J. P. and Walters, J. L., 2006. Neutrophil function and energy status in Holstein cows with uterine health disorders. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 113, 21--29.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Huzzey, J. M., Veira, D. M., Weary, D. M. and Keyserlingk, M. A. G. V., 2007. Prepartum Behavior and Dry Matter Intake Identify Dairy Cows at Risk for Metritis. Journal of Dairy Science, 90, 3220--3233.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jánosi, A., Kulcassar, M., Karodi, P., Katai, L., Reiczigel, J., Dieleman, S.J., Nikolic, J.A., Salyi, G., Ribiczey-Szabo, P. and Huszenicza, G., 2003. Energy imbalance related predisposition to mastitis in group-fed high-producing postpartum dairy cows. Acta Veterinaria Hungarica, 51, 409--424.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, I. H. and Suh, G. H., 2003. Effect of the amount of body condition loss from the dry to near calving periods on the subsequent body condition change, occurrence of postpartum diseases, metabolic parameters and reproductive performance in Holstein dairy cows. Theriogenology, 60, 1445--1456.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • LeBlanc S. J., Leslie K. E. and Duffield T. F., 2005. Metabolic predictors of displaced abomasum in dairy cattle. Journal Dairy Science, 88, 159--70.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Littell R. C., Henry P. R. and Ammerman C. B., 1998. Statistical analysis of repeated measures data using SAS procedures. Journal of Animal Science, 76, 1216--1231.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Machado, P.F., Pereira, A.R. and Sarries, G.A., 2000. Composição do leite de tanques de rebanhos brasileiros distribuídos segundo sua contagem de células somáticas. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, 29, 1883--1886.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDougall, S., Supré, K., De Vliegher, S., Haesebrouck, F., Hussein, H., Clausen, L. and Prosser, C., 2010. Diagnosis and treatment of subclinical mastitis in early lactation in dairy goats. Journal of Dairy Science, 93, 4710--4721.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Melendez, P., Marin, M. P., Robles, J., Rios, C., Duchens, M. and Archbald, L., 2009. Relationship between serum nonesterified fatty acids at calving and the incidence of periparturient diseases in Holstein dairy cows. Theriogenology, 72 826--833.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moussavi, A. H., Mesgaran, M. D. and Gilbert, R. O., 2012. Effect of mastitis during the first lactation on production and reproduction performance of Holstein cows. Tropical Animal Health Production 44(7):1567-73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moyes, K. M., Larsen, T., Friggens, N. C., Drackley, J. K. and Ingvartsen, K. L., 2009. Identification of potential markers in blood for the development of subclinical and clinical mastitis in dairy cattle at parturition and during early lactation. Journal of Dairy Science, 92, 5419--5428.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mungube, E. O., Tenhagen, B. A., Kassa, T., Regassa, F., Kyule, M. N., Greiner, M. and Baumann M.P.O., 2004. Risk Factors for Dairy Cow Mastitis in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 36, 463--472.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Norberg, E., 2005. Electrical conductivity of milk as a phenotypic and genetic indicator of bovine mastitis: A review. Livestock Production Science, 96, 129--139.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nyman, A. K., Emanuelson, U., Holtenius, K., Ingvartsen, K. L., Larsen, T. and Persson Waller, K., 2008. Metabolites and Immune Variables Associated with Somatic Cell Counts of Primiparous Dairy Cows. Journal of Dairy Science 91, 2996--3009.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Olde Riekerink, R. G. M., Barkema, H. W., Kelton, D. F. and Scholl, D.T., 2008. Incidence rate of clinical mastitis on Canadian dairy farms. Journal of Dairy Science, 91, 1366--1377.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ribeiro, M. E. R., Petrini, L. A., Aita, M. F., Balbinotti, M., Stumpf Jr, W., Gomes, J. F., Schramm, R. C., Martins, P. R. and Barbosa, R. S., 2003. Relação entre Mastite clínica, subclínica infecciosa e não infecciosa em unidades de produção leiteiras na região sul do Rio Grande do Sul. Revista Brasileira de Agrociência, 9, 287--290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rollin, E., Berghaus, R. D., Rapnicki, P., Godden, S. M. and Overton, M. W., 2010. The effect of injectable butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin on postpartum serum β-hydroxybutyrate, calcium, and phosphorus concentrations in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 93, 978--987.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schukken, Y. H., Bennett, G. J., Zurakowski, M. J., Sharkey, H. L., Rauch, B. J. Thomas, M. J., Ceglowski, B., Saltman, R. L., Belomestnykh, N. and Zadoks, R. N., 2011. Randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of a 5-day ceftiofur hydrochloride intramammary treatment on nonsevere gram-negative clinical mastitis. Journal of Dairy Science, 94, 6203--6215.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Seegers, H., Fourichon, C. and Beaudeau, F., 2003. Production effects related to mastitis and mastitis economics in dairy cattle herds. Veterinary Research, 34, 475--491.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shitandi, A. and Kihumbu, G., 2004. Assessment of the California mastitis test usage in smallholder dairy herds and risk of violative antimicrobial residues. Journal of Veterinary Science, 5, 5--9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sloth, K. H. M., Friggens, N.C., Løvendahl, P., Andersen, P. H., Jensen, J. and Ingvartsen, K. L., 2003. Potential for Improving Description of Bovine Udder Health Status by Combined Analysis of Milk Parameters. Journal of Dairy Science, 86, 1221--1232.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ster, C., Loiselle, M. C. and Lacasse, P., 2012. Effect of postcalving serum nonesterified fatty acids concentration on the functionality of bovine immune cells. Journal of Dairy Science, 95, 708--717.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Swinkels, J. M., Hogeveen, H and Zadoks, R. N., 2005. A Partial Budget Model to Estimate Economic Benefits of Lactational Treatment of Subclinical Staphylococcus aureus Mastitis. Journal of Dairy Science, 88, 4273--4287.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tabeleão, V. C., Goulart M. A., Schwegler E., Weiser M. A., Moura S. V., Silva V. M., Pereira V. S., Del Pino F. A. B. and Corrêa M. N., 2008. Ruminal and metabolic evaluation of bovines maintained in semi-confinement system. Archivos Zootecnia, 57, 147--154.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Coordenadoria de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior for the scholarship provided to Elizabeth Schwegler.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Clinics, Veterinary College, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário, CEP 96010-900, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

    Elizabeth Schwegler, Augusto Schneider, Paula Montagner, Diego Andres Velasco Acosta, Viviane Rohrig Rabassa & Marcio Nunes Corrêa

  2. Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA)–CPAFRO, BR 364 - Km 5,5, CEP 76815-800, Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil

    Luiz Francisco Machado Pfeifer & Eduardo Schmitt

  3. Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário, CEP 96010-900, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

    Francisco Augusto Burkert Del Pino

  4. Department of Preventive Veterinary, Veterinary College, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário, CEP 96010-900, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

    Helenice de Lima Gonzalez & Cláudio Dias Timm

  5. Núcleo de Pesquisa, Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária (NUPEEC), Veterinary College, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário, CEP 96010-900, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

    Elizabeth Schwegler, Augusto Schneider, Paula Montagner, Diego Andres Velasco Acosta, Viviane Rohrig Rabassa, Francisco Augusto Burkert Del Pino & Marcio Nunes Corrêa

  6. Veterinary College, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Room 8, Campus Universitário, CEP 96010-900, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

    Elizabeth Schwegler

Authors
  1. Elizabeth Schwegler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Augusto Schneider
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Paula Montagner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Diego Andres Velasco Acosta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Luiz Francisco Machado Pfeifer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Eduardo Schmitt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Viviane Rohrig Rabassa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Francisco Augusto Burkert Del Pino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Helenice de Lima Gonzalez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Cláudio Dias Timm
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Marcio Nunes Corrêa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elizabeth Schwegler.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schwegler, E., Schneider, A., Montagner, P. et al. Predictive value of prepartum serum metabolites for incidence of clinical and subclinical mastitis in grazing primiparous Holstein cows. Trop Anim Health Prod 45, 1549–1555 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-013-0398-z

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-013-0398-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation