Association among peripartum body condition score and metabolic parameters of Jersey cows and cure of sub-clinical mastitis in the dry period and incidence of sub-clinical and clinical mastitis postpartum

Abstract Text: Objectives were to evaluate the associations among peripartum metabolic parameters and cure of sub-clinical mastitis in the dry period and incidence of clinical and sub-clinical mastitis postpartum in Jersey cows. Cows (n=167) having sub-clinical mastitis within 30 d before drying-off [linear somatic cell count (LSCC) > 4] were considered to be cured if LSCC < 4 within 34 d postpartum. Animals (multiparous=745, nulliparous=230) having LSCC > 4 within 34 d postpartum were considered to have sub-clinical mastitis. Clinical mastitis was characterized by change in milk and/or udder swelling (multiparous=937, nulliparous=320). Animals received body condition (BCS) and locomotion (LS) scores at -21 and 3 d relative to calving. Blood sampled from -21 to 7 d relative to calving was analyzed for non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and blood sampled from 0 to 7 d relative to calving was analyzed for beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). Binary data was analyzed by logistic regression. Likelihood of cure of sub-clinical mastitis in the dry period had a quadratic association with BCS -21 d relative to calving (P=0.03) and a negative linear association with NEFA concentration from -21 to 7 d relative to calving (P=0.07). Likelihood of incidence of sub-clinical mastitis within 34 d postpartum had a quadratic association with BCS -21 d relative to calving (P<0.01), a negative linear association with BCS loss in the last 21 d of gestation (P<0.01), and a negative linear association with NEFA concentration from -21 to 7 d relative to calving (P=0.08). Likelihood of clinical mastitis in the first 7 d postpartum had a negative linear association with BCS -21 d relative to calving (P=0.02). Similarly, likelihood of clinical mastitis in the first 21 d had a negative linear association with BCS -21 d relative to calving (P=0.08). We conclude from this experiment that BCS -21 d relative to calving, BCS change during the prepartum period, and NEFA concentration in the peripartum period are associated with udder health during the transition period, which is likely a consequence of the association between energy status and immune function.

Keywords: mastitis, transition cow,energy status