Intramammary Infections in Heifers—Time of Onset and Associated Risk Factors

Abstract

To reduce the negative effects of mastitis in dairy heifers in early lactation on the future milking performance, the aim of this study was to define the time-related period of intramammary infections and to relate this to risk factors at heifer and quarter level for intramammary infections and subclinical mastitis. In total, 279 German Holstein Frisian heifers in three farms in Northern and Eastern Germany were included in this study. Quarter milk samples for cytomicrobiological examination were collected 3 ± 1 days after calving and 17 ± 3 days after calving, and risk factors at heifer and quarter level associated with intramammary infections and clinical mastitis were recorded during the trial period. Data were analyzed using logistic regression procedures and odds ratios were calculated. Calving at older ages increased the odds of intramammary infections with non-aureus staphylococci (NAS) and coryneforms 17 ± 3 days after calving compared to heifers calving at a younger age. Detaching of milking cups during milking is a risk factor for new infections between day 3 ± 1 and 17 ± 3 postpartum. The milk yield after calving is associated with a decrease in intramammary infections with environmental pathogens and clinical mastitis. A high milk yield assists the development of udder edema with an increased risk of intramammary infections with NAS and coryneforms. An increased somatic cell count (SCC) after calving increased the odds of intramammary infections with contagious pathogens 17 ± 3 days postpartum. The early lactation has an important influence on udder health and intramammary infections postpartum in dairy heifers. Udder quarters eliminated pathogens during early lactation by 6.9% for cases in this study. New infections manifest themselves up until 17 ± 3 days postpartum, especially with Corynebacterium spp. and NAS. In total, 82.9% of the infected quarters showed new infections with another pathogen species 17 ± 3 days postpartum than 3 ± 1 days postpartum. In conclusion, the early lactation has an important influence on udder health and intramammary infections postpartum in heifers with the possibility that udder quarters eliminate pathogens, but also the danger that new infections manifest themselves. Thus, the prevention of new infections by minimizing the associated risk factors is of great importance.

Dry Period or Early Lactation—Time of Onset and Associated Risk Factors for Intramammary Infections in Dairy Cows

“…Additionally, those cows with a lower BCS after calving showed rarer udder edema than cows with a BCS greater than 3.5 after calving. Nitz et al [ 31 ] demonstrated the same occurrence in heifers, with prolonged udder edema related to an increased risk of developing IMI with NAS and coryneforms three days after calving. Piepers et al [ 32 ] also identified udder edema as an important risk factor for IMI, with contagious major pathogens in heifers.…”

Risk and success factors for good udder health of early lactation primiparous dairy cows

“…This finding is in line with previous studies indicating that increased age 6. Final multivariable multinomial logistic regression analysis of factors from calf to calving associated with being a herd with a large proportion of primiparous cows with low SCC at first and second milk recording after calving (LL herds), a large proportion of primiparous cows with high SCC at first milk recording and low SCC at the second milk recording (HL herds), or a large proportion of primiparous cows with high SCC at first and second milk recording (HH herds) after calving (n = 167, pseudo R 2 = 0.42) at first calving is associated with poorer udder health in early lactation (Waage et al, 1998;Eastham et al, 2018;Nitz et al, 2020), although the opposite has also been found (De Vliegher et al, 2004). The reasons why age at calving is important are not clear.…”

“…It may be hypothesized that differences are due to better routines and planning in LL and HL herds. However, Nitz et al (2020) suggested that the BCS before calving, which may increase with age at calving, and a larger loss of BW in early lactation in primiparous cows with high BCS resulting in a more pronounced negative energy balance with negative effects on the immune response, can be of importance. This suggestion is in line with our previous finding that higher concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids before calving were associated with higher SCC in primiparous cows at first test milking (Nyman et al, 2008).…”

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“…No entanto, os programas comuns de prevenção e controle da doença não abordam a mastite de novilhas em seus protocolos de boas práticas (Nitz et al, 2020). Isto deixa uma lacuna em aberto, uma vez que infecções intramamárias (IIM) antes do parto e no início da lactação podem comprometer o desenvolvimento da glândula.…”

“…Isto deixa uma lacuna em aberto, uma vez que infecções intramamárias (IIM) antes do parto e no início da lactação podem comprometer o desenvolvimento da glândula. Como consequência, além de afetar negativamente a saúde do úbere, pode aumentar o risco de descarte precoce do animal Nitz et al, 2020).…”