Süt Sığırlarında Kuruya Çıkarma Öncesinde Tek Doz Meme İçi Kabergolin Uygulamasının Meme İnvolüsyonu Kuru Dönem Mastitisleri ve Bazı Biyokimyasal Parametreler Üzerine Etkisi
Büyükbudak F. (Executive), İnan İ., Ay S. S., Sezener M. G., FINDIK M., Ferahoğlu V., et al.
Project Supported by Higher Education Institutions, BAP Research Project, 2024 - Present
- Project Type: Project Supported by Higher Education Institutions
- Support Program: BAP Research Project
- Begin Date: February 2024
- End Date: in Progress
- Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
Project Abstract
The dry period in dairy cows is of critical importance for both maintaining udder health and achieving optimal milk yield in the subsequent lactation. In high-yielding dairy cows, increased intramammary pressure and milk leakage during drying-off elevate the risk of mastitis. Therefore, rapid and effective involution of mammary tissue during the drying-off process is crucial for accelerating the formation of natural barriers against infections and preventing dry period mastitis. However, in high-yielding dairy cows, the continuation of milk synthesis during drying-off delays involution and increases the risk of mastitis. Prolactin secretion, which plays a major role in milk secretion, can be inhibited by cabergoline, a dopamine agonist used in several species. Suppression of milk synthesis may accelerate involution and reduce the incidence of dry period mastitis. In the present study, the effects of cabergoline administration during abrupt drying-off in high-yielding cows on udder involution, dry period mastitis incidence, and selected biochemical parameters were investigated. Thirty-nine clinically healthy Holstein Friesian cows without reproductive or udder pathologies were randomly allocated into three groups: the intramammary cabergoline group (MK; n=13; 5.6 mg/5 mL infusion into the right rear teat), the intramuscular cabergoline group (KK; n=13; 5.6 mg/5 mL intramuscular injection), and the control group (KO; n=13; no treatment). Cabergoline (Velactis®, Ceva, France) was administered immediately after the final milking at drying-off (0 h). Blood samples were collected at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 12 hours, and on days 1, 2, 4, 7, and 15. Udder measurements and milk leakage observations were performed at 0 and 12 hours, on days 1–7, and day 15. Involution was faster in the treatment groups compared with KO at 12 h and day 1, with the difference persisting until day 15 in the MK group (P<0.05). Milk leakage rates on day 2 were lower in IM (7.7%) compared with KK (23%) and KO (76.9%) (P<0.05), with this difference continuing in favor of the treatment groups until day 4. Serum prolactin levels decreased rapidly in both treatment groups up to day 2 after treatment, then began to rise again (P<0.05). The decrease was most pronounced at 12 h in the KK group compared with MK and KO (P<0.05). Serum Ca, P, and Mg concentrations showed significant variations at different time points compared with KO, depending on treatment (P<0.05). In the postpartum period, clinical mastitis incidence in the treatment groups (0% and 1.9%) was significantly lower compared with KO (17.3%) (P<0.05). Subclinical mastitis rates were 1.9%, 15.3%, and 17.3% for MK, KK, and KO, respectively (P>0.05). The results demonstrate that a single intramammary dose of cabergoline accelerates udder involution during drying-off, contributing to earlier protection of mammary tissue against infections. It is concluded that incorporating cabergoline into drying-off protocols, particularly in high-yielding dairy cows, may provide substantial benefits for animal welfare and sustained milk productivity.
Keywords: Cabergolin, Drying-off, Mammary Involution, Mastitis, Milk Leakage.