Effects of injectable trace mineral supplementation in lactating dairy cows with elevated somatic cell counts

E. K. Ganda, R. S. Bisinotto, A. K. Vasquez, A. G.V. Teixeira, V. S. Machado, C. Foditsch, M. Bicalho, F. S. Lima, L. Stephens, M. S. Gomes, J. M. Dias, R. C. Bicalho

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives of this clinical trial were to evaluate the effects of injectable trace mineral supplementation (ITMS) on somatic cell count (SCC), linear score (LS), milk yield, milk fat and protein contents, subclinical mastitis cure, and incidence of clinical mastitis in cows with elevated SCC. Holstein cows from a commercial dairy farm in New York were evaluated for subclinical mastitis, defined as SCC ≥200 × 103 cells/mL on the test day preceding enrollment. Cows with a history of treatment for clinical mastitis in the current lactation and those pregnant for more than 150 d were not eligible for enrollment. Cows fitting inclusion criteria were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 treatment groups. Cows assigned to ITMS (n = 306) received 1 subcutaneous injection containing zinc (300 mg), manganese (50 mg), selenium (25 mg), and copper (75 mg) at enrollment (d 0). Control cows (CTRL; n = 314) received 1 subcutaneous injection of sterile saline solution. Following treatment, visual assessment of milk was performed daily, and cows with abnormal milk (i.e., presence of flakes, clots, or serous milk) were diagnosed with clinical mastitis (CM). Chronic clinical mastitis was defined as cows with 3 or more cases of CM. Milk yield, milk fat and protein contents, SCC, and LS were evaluated once monthly. Additionally, randomly selected animals were sampled to test serum concentrations of selected minerals on d 0 and 30 (n = 30 cows/treatment). Treatment did not affect serum concentrations of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, iron, manganese, selenium, and zinc on d 30. Injectable supplementation with trace minerals did not improve overall cure of subclinical mastitis (CTRL = 42.8 vs. ITMS = 46.5%), although a tendency was observed in cows with 3 or more lactations (CTRL = 27.1 vs. ITMS = 40.0%). Supplementation did not reduce treatment incidence of CM (CTRL = 48.2 vs. ITMS = 41.7%); however, it tended to reduce the proportion of cows diagnosed with chronic CM (CTRL = 16.9 vs. ITMS = 12.0%), particularly among first-lactation cows (CTRL = 18.4 vs. ITMS = 7.6%). Cure of subclinical mastitis was associated with higher serum concentrations of phosphorus and selenium on d 30. Supplementing trace minerals to cows with elevated SCC had no effect on milk yield, milk fat and protein contents, SCC, and LS.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)7319-7329
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Dairy Science
Volume99
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2016

Keywords

  • manganese
  • mastitis
  • selenium
  • udder health
  • zinc

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effects of injectable trace mineral supplementation in lactating dairy cows with elevated somatic cell counts'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this