Penicillin combinations against multi-resistant urinary pathogens as an alternative to gentamycin treatment.

A total of 42 multi-resistant urinary pathogens, sensitive to gentamycin only, were investigated with regard to the effects of dicloxacillin and ampicillin or cloxacillin/flucloxacillin and amoxycillin in combination. A synergistic antibiotic effect with resulting low MIC levels was demonstrated for 81% of the strains. It was also found that a further increase in sensitivity might be achieved by adjustment of the pH level.     

Genetic analysis for mastitis resistance and milk somatic cell score in French Lacaune dairy sheep

Genetic analysis for mastitis resistance was studied from two data sets. Firstly, risk factors for different mastitis traits, i.e. culling due to clinical or chronic mastitis and subclinical mastitis predicted from somatic cell count (SCC), were explored using data from 957 first lactation Lacaune ewes of an experimental INRA flock composed of two divergent lines for milk yield. Secondly, genetic parameters for SCC were estimated from 5 272 first lactation Lacaune ewes recorded among 38 flocks, using an animal model. In the experimental flock, the frequency of culling due to clinical mastitis (5%) was lower than that of subclinical mastitis (10%) predicted from SCC. Predicted subclinical mastitis was unfavourably associated with the milk yield level. Such an antagonism was not detected for clinical mastitis, which could result, to some extent, from its low frequency or from the limited amount of data. In practice, however, selection for mastitis resistance could be limited in a first approach to selection against subclinical mastitis using SCC. The heritability estimate of SCC was 0.15 for the lactation mean trait and varied from 0.04 to 0.12 from the first to the fifth test-day. The genetic correlation between lactation SCC and milk yield was slightly positive (0.15) but showed a strong evolution during lactation, i.e. from favourable (-0.48) to antagonistic (0.27). On a lactation basis, our results suggest that selection for mastitis resistance based on SCC is feasible. Patterns for genetic parameters within first lactation, however, require further confirmation and investigation.     

Ghrelin and orotic acid increased in subclinical mastitis

Hormone ghrelin and orotic acid accelerate wound healing as well as controlling inflammation and immunity. We have, therefore, investigated the serum and milk levels of ghrelin and orotic acid in dairy cows with (n = 21) or without (n = 21) subclinical mastitis. Acylated and des-acylated ghrelin as well as orotic acid concentration were detected by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results revealed that ghrelin level in milk and serum was significantly higher in dairy cows with subclinical mastitis than that of dairy cows without subclinical mastitis. This was also the case when the orotic acid concentrations in dairy cows with subclinical mastitis were compared with those dairy cows without subclinical mastitis. In conclusion, ghrelin and orotic acid occur in particularly high concentrations in subclinical mastitis, and might, therefore, be required in greater amounts for tissue repair and may be also used as a indicator for subclinical mastitis.     

Effects of maternal ethanol consumption during pregnancy or lactation on intestinal absorption of folic acid in suckling rats

A fostering/crossfostering analysis of the effects of maternal ethanol exposure on jejunal and ileal folate absorption was performed. Male and female rats were randomized into two groups. In the first group, ethanol-treated rats received ad libitum 5, 10 and 15% ethanol in the drinking fluid during three successive weeks. A consumption of 20% was maintained in this group for 5 additional weeks. Ethanol-treated rats were mated. Group 2 served as the control. To study the effect of chronic alcoholism during lactation or gestation separately, at birth (2nd day postpartum) control newborns were cross-fostered to ethanol dams (EG), and the pups issued from the ethanol treated mothers were cross-fostered to control dams (CG). Thus, three experimental groups of pups were formed: (1) control pups receiving no treatment during gestation and lactation (CG); (2) pups exposed to ethanol only during gestation (GG); and (3) pups exposed to ethanol only during lactation (LG). At 21 days postpartum the jejunal and distal ileum folate absorption was determined in the offspring rats by a perfusion technique. Milk folic acid levels were determined by an immunoluminometric assay. The results showed an increase in jejunal folic acid absorption in offsprings exposed to ethanol only during the lactation period (LG). However, in pups exposed to ethanol only during the gestation period (GG), the jejunal folic acid absorption was significantly increased only at concentrations of 0.25, 0.5 and 2.5 microM. No free folic acid absorption occurred in the distal ileum of control pups (CG) at day 21 at all assayed concentrations but in offsprings exposed to ethanol only during the gestation or lactation periods absorption did take place. Pups exposed to ethanol during the gestation period (GG) showed decreased values in ileum folic acid absorption at the lowest assayed concentration (0.25 microM) compared to values obtained for pups exposed to ethanol only during lactation (LG). Milk folic acid levels were significantly decreased in the ethanol-fed dams on day 21 of lactation. These results indicate that exposure of rats to ethanol during the lactation period affects more severely postnatal development of intestinal functions than ethanol exposure only during gestation. In summary, both the exposure to ethanol itself and the decrease in folic acid intake caused alterations in the function of the intestinal mucosa in the offspring, which in turn altered absorption time and development. However, the present results do not explain how ethanol stimulated intestinal absorption of folic acid in pups exposed to ethanol during the gestation or lactation periods. Further studies are needed.     

Energy requirements and efficiency of Alpine goats in early lactation

Dairy goats may rely heavily on body fat and protein reserves in early lactation. Therefore, we aimed to determine the energy requirement and estimate the efficiency of utilization the nutrients of tissues mobilized in the first 8 weeks of lactation for milk production using the comparative slaughter technique. The average initial body mass of 51 multiparous goats was 57.19 ± 8.38 kg and a body condition score of 3.0 ± 0.5. Three goats were slaughtered at the beginning of the experiment to serve as baseline animals to estimate initial empty BW and initial body composition. We used a complete randomized design in which the factor was the day of lactation for slaughtering (the 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, 35th, 42nd, 49th and 56th day), with six repeats, totalling 48 goats. No fasting before slaughtering. All animals received a single experimental diet. The efficiency of transferring energy from body reserves to milk was estimated using a multiple linear regression equation yielding a value of 0.76. The total energy stored in the empty body decreased over the eight lactation weeks, from 726.47 ± 26.19 to 316.18 ± 49.21 MJ, a 56.47% reduction, mainly because of a reduction in the energy from internal fat of 3.96 ± 1.98 MJ/day. In conclusion, the net energy required for maintenance is 60 ± 30 kJ/BW^0.75 per day, and the net energy required for lactation decreases 70 ± 30 kJ/day during the first eight lactation weeks.     

Rumen-protected choline and vitamin E supplementation in periparturient dairy goats: effects on milk production and folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin E status

We investigated the effects of rumen-protected choline (RPC) and vitamin E (VITE) administration on milk production and status of folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin E during the periparturient period of dairy goats. Forty-eight Saanen multiparous goats were selected for the 72-day experiment, being moved to a maternity pen 30 days before expected parturition and assigned to one of the four experimental groups: control (CTR), no choline or vitamin E supplementation; choline (RPC), supplemented with 4 g/day choline chloride in rumen-protected form; vitamin E (VITE), supplemented with 200 IU/day vitamin E in rumen-protected form; and choline and vitamin E (RPCE), supplemented with 4 g/day RPC chloride and 200 IU/day vitamin E. Supplements were administered individually before the morning feed to ensure complete consumption, starting 30 days before kidding and continuing for 35 days after. During the experiment, milk yield and 4% fat-corrected milk (FCM) yield were, respectively, 210 and 350 g/day higher in RPC-supplemented goats than in non-supplemented goats. Milk fat concentration and fat yield were also increased by RPC treatment. Milk yield and composition were unaffected by vitamin E supplementation. There were no significant interactions between RPC and VITE for any of the variables measured. Plasma metabolites did not differ between treatments before and after kidding except that plasma folate at parturition was higher in RPC-supplemented goats. Neither choline nor vitamin E affected vitamin B12 plasma concentrations, while a time effect was evident after the second week of lactation, when B12 levels in each treatment group started to increase. Vitamin E administration resulted in plasma α-tocopherol levels that were 2 to 2.5 times higher than in non-supplemented goats. Overall, these results suggest that greater choline availability can improve milk production and methyl group metabolism in transition dairy goats.     

Glucose metabolism in crossbred Holstein cattle feeding on two types of roughage at different stages of lactation

An experiment was performed to study the glucose kinetics of crossbred Holstein cattle feeding on either hay or 5% urea-treated rice straw during early lactation (30 days post partum), mid-lactation (120 days post partum) and late lactation (210 days post partum). Two breeds: Holstein FriesianxRed Sindhi (50:50 = 50% HF) and Holstein FriesianxRed Sindhi (87.5:12.5 = 87.5% HF) were used. In early lactating 87.5% HF animals feeding on either hay or urea-treated rice straw, the high milk yields and lactose secretion were related to glucose uptake by the udder and udder blood flow as compared with those of 50% HF animals. Marked decreases in udder blood flow, glucose uptake, lactose secretion and milk yield were apparent in mid- and late lactation of both groups of 87.5% HF animals. In contrast, both groups of 50% HF animals showed no significant changes in udder blood flow, udder glucose uptake, lactose secretion and milk yields throughout the course of lactation. Total glucose entry rate using 3-[3H] glucose infusion, recycling of glucose carbon and plasma glucose clearance significantly increased during late lactation for 50 and 87.5% HF animals feeding on urea-treated rice straw. The utilization rates of glucose using [U-(14)C] glucose infusion were not significantly different among groups of animals and periods of lactation. It can be concluded that 87.5% HF animals have the genetic potential for a higher milk yield, but a shorter peak yield and poorer persistence in comparison with 50% HF animals. Changes in the utilization of glucose by the mammary gland for milk production in both groups of crossbred animals during feeding on either hay or urea-treated rice straw would be dependent on intramammary changes.     

Compensatory changes in mammary development and function after hemimastectomy in lactating goats

Goats were hemimastectomized during Weeks 5 or 8 of lactation. The milk yield of the remaining gland (the test gland) usually increased in a compensatory fashion after the operation, although the degree of response varied from no response to a 50% increase. The glands of those goats that responded and received no further treatment maintained an increased milk yield for the duration of the lactation. Changes in the size and composition of the gland were investigated by a combination of udder volume and biopsy in some goats. Increases in both gross size and total DNA content (DNAt, a measure of cell number) were observed in all of these, although the timing of the response varied between individuals. Overall, cell population size was maintained for at least 18 weeks after hemimastectomy whereas in control (unoperated) goats DNAt decreased by 35% over a similar period.     

Ovsynch synchronization and fixed-time insemination in goats

This study assessed the efficacy of an Ovsynch protocol (vs. the classical cronolone containing vaginal sponge+eCG treatment) to generate fixed-time insemination in goats during the breeding season. Each regimen was applied to 24 Boer goat does. Onset and duration of estrus were determined with an aproned male and follicular development was monitored by ultrasonography. Ovulation and quality of the corpora lutea were established from progesterone concentrations. In 10-11 goats per group, LH concentrations were determined throughout the preovulatory period. Does were inseminated at pre-determined times (16 h after the second GnRH injection and 43 h after sponge removal). Estrus was identified in 96% of the Ovsynch-treated goats (at 49 h after prostaglandin injection) and in 100% of the goats synchronized with sponges (at 37 h after sponge removal). Low progesterone concentrations at the time of AI were observed in 21/24 and 24/24 goats synchronized by Ovsynch and sponges, respectively. Synchronization of the LH surge was tighter following Ovsynch compared to sponge treatment. Kidding rates (at 58 and 46% in the Ovsynch and sponge groups, respectively) and prolificacy (at 1.86 and 1.83 in the Ovsynch- and sponge-treated goats) were similar for both groups, as were the number of ovulations (2.9 and 3.3) and the proportion of does with premature corpus luteum regression (29 and 17%). When excluding does with premature luteal regression and those with low progesterone levels when receiving prostaglandins, kidding rate reached 87.5% (14/16) after Ovsynch. During the breeding season, the Ovsynch protocol may thus be an useful alternative to the sponge-eCG treatment.     

Synchronisation of oestrus of goats treated with progestagen-impregnated intravaginal sponges and PMSG,and reproductive performance following natural mating or A.I. with frozen semen

Oestrus was synchronised in 88 goats using progestagen-impregnated intravaginal sponges (60 mg Repromap; Upjohn) left in place for 17 days, followed by intramuscular injection of PMSG (300 i.u.) at sponge withdrawal. The percentages of does that came into oestrus in 0–24, 25–48, 49–72 and 73–96 h periods were 42, 30.5, 10.5 and 6.5 (cumulative 89.5%). The time of onset of oestrus ranged from 16 to 40 h. Breeding at the synchronised oestrus using intact bucks (24–96 h) or artificial insemination with frozen-thawed semen, at fixed times of 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, resulted in 71% and 81% conceptions respectively. Intrauterine deposition of semen was possible in 31.3%, 62.5%, 87.5% and 6.3% of cases at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h respectively. Twinning percentages were 54.5% and 56% for natural mating and artificial insemination. Kidding was spread over a 14-day period with mean gestation lengths of 149 days for singletons and 147 days for twins. The results indicate that use of progestagen-impregnated sponges with PMSG is an efficient method of synchronisation of oestrus and may result in increased fertility in goats and, if used with A.I. with frozen semen, may contribute to increased breeding efficiency and rate of genetic improvement of goats in Asia.     

Effects of dietary energy intake during gestation and lactation on milk yield and composition of first, second and fourth parity sows

In order to determine the effects of a varied level of dietary energy intake during pregnancy and lactation on milk yield and composition, first, second and fourth parity sows (Large White x German Landrace) were provided with energy at a level of either: (i) 100% of ME requirement (MEreq) during pregnancy and lactation, (ii) 120% MEreq during pregnancy and 80% during lactation, and (iii) 80% MEreq during pregnancy and 120% during lactation. In spite of equal target levels feed analysis revealed that gestating first parity sows with 120/80 treatment combination and lactating sows of 80/120 treatment combination received 25, and 11-17% more digestible N than in the respective 100/100 treatment combination. Irrespective of this 120/80 sows responded with the highest milk DM, fat, and energy contents, and the lowest lactose concentrations whereas protein levels where not affected, irrespective of parity (p < 0.05). Milk yield of sows in 1st and 4th lactation was 85 and 106% of that in 2nd lactation, respectively. Average milk composition was 18.1% DM, 4.9% protein, 6.8% fat, 5.6% lactose, and 0.8% ash. Milk composition changes ceased at day 7 of lactation with a reduction of milk GE and protein, and an increase of lactose content. Concentrations of threonine, arginine, valine, leucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, cystine, and tryptophan, as well as stearic, oleic, and linoleic acid were higher in colostrum than in milk at later lactation stages. In contrast, laurine, myristic, palmitic, and palmitoleic acids were lower concentrated in colostrum. In conclusion, these results illustrate the importance of body reserve mobilization for milk production in sows and indicate that low energy supply during gestation cannot be compensated by higher energy supply during lactation.     

Augmentin in the clinical picture of infectious diseases]

Augmentin is a new combination manufactured by Smith Kline Beecham (Great Britain). It is composed of amoxycillin and clavulanic acid and has antibacterial activity. Augmentin was used in clinical trials in the therapy of 50 adult patients with suppurations after surgical operations on the organs of the abdominal cavity, general staphylococcal infections, pneumonia and prophylactically during the preoperative period. It was also used in the treatment of 30 children patients with bronchopulmonary affections and inflammatory otorhinolaryngological diseases. The clinical trials were performed in the Clinic of Infectious Diseases of the N. G. Gabrichevski? Moscow Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. For comparison ampicillin was used in the trials. Augmentin was shown to be an efficient formulation with antibacterial activity which could be successfully used in the parenteral therapy of severe affections due to organisms sensitive to it. In the treatment of the children patients with pneumonia augmentin by its therapeutic efficacy proved to be superior to ampicillin. The tolerance of augmentin was good.     

Effect of timing of first clinical mastitis occurrence on lactational and reproductive performance of Holstein dairy cows

Objectives of this study were to determine the influence of timing of first clinical mastitis case occurrence on lactational and reproductive performance in high producing lactating dairy cows during the first 320 days in milk (DIM). Holstein cows, 1001, from two commercial dairy farms in California were retrospectively divided into four treatment groups according to timing of first clinical mastitis case caused by environmental pathogens: control with no recorded clinical cases of mastitis (C; n=501); first clinical mastitis prior to first postpartum AI (MG1; n=250); first clinical mastitis between first postpartum AI and pregnancy diagnosis (MG2; n=147); and first clinical mastitis after diagnosed pregnant (MG3; n=103). Clinical cases of mastitis were identified at every milking by the herd personnel based on abnormal milk or swelling of the mammary gland. A fore sample of milk was aseptically collected from every clinical case for microbiological culture. Mastitis decreased yields of milk, 3.5% fat-corrected milk, and milk components, but the effect was only observed for MG1 and MG2. Cows in the control group had lower linear somatic cell count (SCC) score throughout the lactation. Culling was increased by mastitis, and cows in the mastitis groups left the study earlier than controls. Conception rate at first postpartum AI and pregnancy rate at the end of the study were both decreased by mastitis prior to or after first AI, and MG1 and MG2 cows had extended days open. Furthermore, cows experiencing mastitis during lactation had a higher incidence of abortions. The negative effects of mastitis on reproduction were observed regardless of clinical case being caused by either Gram positive or negative bacteria. Mastitis either prior to or after first postpartum AI impairs lactation performance, increases culling, and decreases reproductive efficiency in high producing Holstein dairy cows.     

Chemotherapy of experimental lactational mastitis in mice]

More severe mastitis on infection with Proteus was shown on a standardized model of experimental lactation mastitis of mice caused by Staphylococcus, Proteus and their mixture. Significant differences in the morphological pictures of the staphylococcal and Proteus mastitis were noted. A pronounced effect was observed with the use of kanamycin in combination with fuzidin in treatment of experimental mastitis of various etiology.     

The structure and antibiotic sensitivity of the causative agents of community-acquired infectious diseases of bacterial origin in children]

Four hundred and forty pediatric patients at the age of 7 days to 15 years with various infections admitted to the Hospital within a month were examined. The biological material was inoculated to blood agar on the first days of the patient admittance to the Hospital and after the growth the organisms were isolated and identified. Antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was assayed with the disk diffusion method. 479 strains in all were tested. The most frequent cases requiring hospitalization and antibiotic therapy were those of respiratory tract infections (54.09 per cent), urinary tract infections (26.36 per cent), cutaneous and subcutaneous fat diseases, gastrointestinal diseases and others (about 25 per cent of the cases in all). The main pathogens were Streptococcus viridans, S.aureus and S.epidermidis, as well as Enterobacteriaceae (chiefly E.coli) whose frequencies were practically equal (in 25-35 per cent of the cases). The Pneumococcus isolates amounted to 6.3 per cent. Nonfermenting bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter) and some representatives of Enterobacteriaceae (Citrobacter, Serratia, Morganella) were isolated from 7 per cent of the patients. The frequency of Klebsiella and Enterobacter was about 11 per cent. The main pathogens were tested for their susceptibility to amoxycillin/clavulanic acid, ampicillin, oxacillin and gentamicin. The least active antibiotic was ampicillin. 88.8 per cent of the E.coli isolates and 100 per cent of the Klebsiella, P.mirabilis, Morganella, Citrobacter, Enterobacter and Serratia isolates were resistant to it. 53.2 per cent of the Streptococcus isolates including 64.5 per cent of the Pneumococcus isolates were as well resistant to ampicillin. 59.5 per cent of the Streptococcus isolates (mainly S.viridans and Enterococcus) was susceptible to oxacillin, 22.2 per cent of them being moderately susceptible. 62.5 per cent of the Pneumococcus isolates and 78.1 per cent of the Staphylococcus isolates were also susceptible to oxacillin. The highest susceptibility of the isolates was that to amoxycillin/clavulanic acid, i.e. 90.1 per cent of the strains, 79.9 per cent of them being highly susceptible. All the isolates of Citrobacter, Serratia and Morganella and some isolates of P.aeruginosa, Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Klebsiella and E.coli were resistant to amoxycillin/clavulanic acid. As for the latter 5 organisms their susceptibility to amoxycillin/clavulanic acid was comparable with that to gentamicin. The susceptibility of the Streptococcus and Staphylococcus isolates to amoxycillin/clavulanic acid was significantly much higher than that to oxacillin, gentamicin and ampicillin: 93 per cent of the Streptococcus isolates (62.7 per cent of the Pneumococcus isolates) and 90.7 per cent of the Staphylococcus isolates.     

Cumulative Risk of Bovine Mastitis Treatments in Denmark,Finland, Norway and Sweden

Data from the national dairy cow recording systems during 1997 were used to calculate lactation-specific cumulative risk of mastitis treatments and cumulative risk of removal from the herds in Denmark, Finland Norway and Sweden. Sweden had the lowest risk of recorded mastitis treatments during 305 days of lactation and Norway had the highest risk. The incidence risk of recorded mastitis treatments during 305 days of lactation in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden was 0.177, 0.139, 0.215 and 0.127 for first parity cows and 0.228, 0.215, 0.358 and 0.204 for parities higher than three, respectively. The risk of a first parity cow being treated for mastitis was almost 3 times higher at calving in Norway than in Sweden. The period with the highest risk for mastitis treatments was from 2 days before calving until 14 days after calving and the highest risk for removal was from calving to 10 days after calving in all countries.The study clearly demonstrated differences in bovine mastitis treatment patterns among the Nordic countries. The most important findings were the differences in treatment risks during different lactations within each country, as well as differences in strategies with respect to the time during lactation mastitis was treated.     

Effects of dietary energy intake during gestation and lactation on milk yield and composition of first,second and fourth parity sows

Abstract

In order to determine the effects of a varied level of dietary energy intake during pregnancy and lactation on milk yield and composition, first, second and fourth parity sows (Large White × German Landrace) were provided with energy at a level of either: (i) 100% of ME requirement (MEreq) during pregnancy and lactation, (ii) 120% MEreq during pregnancy and 80% during lactation, and (iii) 80% MEreq during pregnancy and 120% during lactation. In spite of equal target levels feed analysis revealed that gestating first parity sows with 120/80 treatment combination and lactating sows of 80/120 treatment combination received 25, and 11 – 17% more digestible N than in the respective 100/100 treatment combination. Irrespective of this 120/80 sows responded with the highest milk DM, fat, and energy contents, and the lowest lactose concentrations whereas protein levels where not affected, irrespective of parity (p < 0.05). Milk yield of sows in 1st and 4th lactation was 85 and 106% of that in 2nd lactation, respectively. Average milk composition was 18.1% DM, 4.9% protein, 6.8% fat, 5.6% lactose, and 0.8% ash. Milk composition changes ceased at day 7 of lactation with a reduction of milk GE and protein, and an increase of lactose content. Concentrations of threonine, arginine, valine, leucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, cystine, and tryptophan, as well as stearic, oleic, and linoleic acid were higher in colostrum than in milk at later lactation stages. In contrast, laurine, myristic, palmitic, and palmitoleic acids were lower concentrated in colostrum. In conclusion, these results illustrate the importance of body reserve mobilization for milk production in sows and indicate that low energy supply during gestation cannot be compensated by higher energy supply during lactation.     

Simultaneous determination of seven penicillins in muscle, liver and kidney tissues from cattle and pigs by a multiresidue high-performance liquid chromatographic method

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) was developed for determination of amoxicillin, penicillin G (benzylpenicillin), ampicillin, oxacillin, cloxacillin, nafcillin and dicloxacillin in muscle, liver and kidney tissues of pigs and cattle. The compounds were extracted in aqueous solution by precipitation of organic materials with a mixture of sulphuric acid and sodium tungstate. The extract was cleaned up by SPE on a divinylbenzene-co-N-vinylpyrrolidone polymeric sorbent. Further clean-up was performed by liquid–liquid partition with diethyl ether. The extract was derivatised with benzoic anhydride and 1,2,4-triazole mercury (II) reagent. Chromatography was performed by reversed-phase gradient HPLC on a C₁₈ column with ultraviolet detection at 323 nm. The limits of detection estimated by a conservative model were in the range 8.9–11.1 μg/kg for amoxicillin, penicillin G, ampicillin, oxacillin, cloxacillin and nafcillin and 18.3–20.9 μg/kg for dicloxacillin. The mean recovery range was 66–77% for amoxicillin, 73–75% for penicillin G, 81–82% for ampicillin, 73–76% for oxacillin, 74–75% for cloxacillin, 66–72% for nafcillin and 58–65% for dicloxacillin.     

In-vivo studies of mammary development in the goat using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Mammary development and regression were measured in goats in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Measurements were made during the first and second cycles of pregnancy, lactation and involution. In primiparous goats, and exponential pattern of growth was evident during gestation and for the first 2 weeks of lactation. Parenchyma volume correlated significantly with milk yield across goats during early lactation, and across stage of lactation within goats. Milking was discontinued in Week 26 of the first lactation. Involution was characterized by an initial accumulation of fluid (over 2 days) followed by reabsorption; parenchyma volume did not decrease significantly until the 3rd week of involution, which was also the time at which these goats were mated to start their second gestation. Their udders still contained significant quantities of fluid (40-60% of the gross volume), but parenchyma volume was also greater (by 4.7-fold) than in goats beginning their first gestation. By Week 15 of gestation there was no longer a parity difference in parenchyma; the udders of first-gestation goats had grown significantly, but those of second-gestation goats had not. Conversely, between gestation Week 15 and lactation Week 2 mammary growth was significantly more rapid in the second cycle, such that the udder was larger at the start of the second lactation.     

Direct and indirect measurement of somatic cell count as indicator of intramammary infection in dairy goats

Background  

Mastitis is the most important and costly disease in dairy goat production. Subclinical mastitis is common in goats and is mainly caused by contagious bacteria. Several methods to diagnose subclinical mastitis are available. In this study indirect measurement of somatic cell count (SCC) by California Mastitis Test (CMT) and direct measurement of SCC using a portable deLaval cell counter (DCC) are evaluated. Swedish goat farmers would primarily benefit from diagnostic methods that can be used at the farm. The purpose of the study was to evaluate SCC measured by CMT and DCC as possible markers for intramammary infection (IMI) in goats without clinical symptoms of mastitis. Moreover to see how well indirect measurement of SCC (CMT) corresponded to direct measurement of SCC (DCC).