Cabergoline is a potent dopamine agonist and a synthetic ergot derivative, and it acts by inhibiting prolactin secretion from the pituitary gland. It reduces the amount of plasma prolactin and inhibits progesterone secretion at the same time. Because of these effects, it has found a widespread area of use in the treatment of hyperprolactinemic disorders both in the human medicine and veterinary medicine.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) applied in postpartum (pp) period on ovarian follicle development, serum estradiol concentration, serum progesterone concentration, the calving-to-first oestrus (calving-to-first insemination) interval, and conception at first insemination. The material of this study consisted of 20 cows on day 14 pp. Cows included in this study were randomly divided into two groups. Cows in the first group, were treated with eCG (500 IU Folligon; Intervet, Holland) for 14 days. No treatment was applied to the second group, and it was left as a control group, Ovarian follicle diameters were measured by ultrasonographic examination on days 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 pp in all animals included in the study. Serum estradiol and progesterone were from blood samples taken on the same days. All animals included in the study were followed up until the first observable oestrus was detected, and they were inseminated 12 hours after the appearance of oestrus symptoms. A pregnancy examination was performed on the 45th day after insemination. In cows administered with eCG during postpartum period, an increase in ovarian follicle diameters compared to untreated cows and a decrease in the calving-to-first oestrus interval were determined. In contrast, serum estradiol and progesterone hormone levels did not differ between the two groups. Pregnancy rate in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group, but there was no statistical difference between them. As a result, it was concluded that eCG applied to dairy cows on day 14 pp did not affect serum estradiol and progesterone levels, but it affected the ovarian follicle diameter and the calving-to-first oestrus interval positively.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the environmental factors including, birth season, lactation number, age, and service period, on the annual average lactation milk yield and lactation period of the Italian Mediterranean Buffaloes that were milked by rotary milking systems. The research was carried out on the data of 347 buffaloes in a modern dairy farming between 2016 and 2018 years. Their annual average lactation milk yield and lactation period were found to be 1587.55 ± 33.82 L and 247.66 ± 4.39 days. It was observed that the prolonged service period had a positive effect on the total lactation milk yield and lactation period. The season did not affect the lactation milk yield, but the lactation period was longer in the buffaloes calving in winter months. The service period has a direct effect on the economic profitability, and it was observed that the service periods of buffaloes calving in winter was shorter. It was also determined that milk productivity was positively affected due to the increase in age and lactation number, but there were wide variations in the herd. In conclusion, age, lactation number, and service period were efficient on the annual average milk yield and lactation period, but, on the other hand, the season did not affect the annual average milk yield. More breeding studies are required to minimize variations in buffalo herds milked by different milking techniques.

The teat canal-one of the primary defense mechanisms of the udder-ensures the milk ow during milking in bovines and prevents pathogens from entering the udder by forming a barrier through the elastic muscle and keratin layers tightly closing the surrounding area. The current study investigated the effects of blood calcium status on teat closure in cows after milking. The study covered 200 healthy teats, of which 100 were from normocalcemic (NC) cows and 100 were from subclinical hypocalcemic (SCH) cows. Teat canal length (TCL) and width (TCW) were measured with ultrasonography at 0-min premilking and 15-and 30-mins post-milking. Cylindrically shaped teat canal volume (TCV) was calculated by deriving from TCL and TCW. Time-dependent changes in teat canal closure and their relationships with blood calcium levels were analyzed. The results showed that the calcium level did not affect TCL, TCW, and TCV (P > 0.05) during the 15 minutes post-milking period. However, TCL (P < 0.001), TCW (P < 0.05), and TCV (P < 0.001) were higher in NC cows than in SCH cows at 30 minutes post-milking. At 15 minutes post-milking, no correlation existed between the teat canal closure (ΔTCL, ΔTCW, and ΔTCV) and the blood calcium level, while signi cant correlations were available between the teat canal closure and the blood calcium level {ΔTCL (r:-0.288, P < 0.001), ΔTCW (r:-0.260, P < 0.001), ΔTCV (r:-0.150, P < 0.05)} at 30 minutes post-milking. The current study concluded that the blood calcium status signi cantly impacts the teat canal closure in bovines, and calcium status should be meticulously monitored with the mastitis control program to apply necessary strategic steps.

The teat canal–one of the primary defense mechanisms of the udder–ensures the milk flow during milking in bovines and prevents pathogens from entering the udder by forming a barrier through the elastic muscle and keratin layers tightly closing the surrounding area. The current study investigated the effects of blood calcium status on teat closure in cows after milking. The study covered 200 healthy teats, of which 100 were from normocalcemic (NC) cows and 100 were from subclinical hypocalcemic (SCH) cows. Teat canal length (TCL) and width (TCW) were measured with ultrasonography at 0-min pre-milking and 15- and 30-mins post-milking. Cylindrically shaped teat canal volume (TCV) was calculated by deriving from TCL and TCW. Time-dependent changes in teat canal closure and their relationships with blood calcium levels were analyzed. The results showed that the calcium level did not affect TCL, TCW, and TCV (P > 0.05) during the 15 minutes post-milking period. However, TCL (P < 0.001), TCW (P < 0.05), and TCV (P < 0.001) were higher in NC cows than in SCH cows at 30 minutes post-milking. At 15 minutes post-milking, no correlation existed between the teat canal closure (ΔTCL, ΔTCW, and ΔTCV) and the blood calcium level, while significant correlations were available between the teat canal closure and the blood calcium level {ΔTCL (r:-0.288, P < 0.001), ΔTCW (r:-0.260, P < 0.001), ΔTCV (r:-0.150, P < 0.05)} at 30 minutes post-milking. The current study concluded that the blood calcium status significantly impacts the teat canal closure in bovines, and calcium status should be meticulously monitored with the mastitis control program to apply necessary strategic steps.