The dairy cow's internal balance can often be a fragile thing, and it is never more apparent than when producers are trying to get a stubborn breeder to conceive. The list of causes of reproductive failure goes on and on, but a recent study has provided more answers about the connection between clinical mastitis near breeding and unsuccessful services.
Researchers from Cornell University and the Netherlands have published several articles related to a data set of more than 90,000 artificial inseminations in New York between 2003 and 2011. Their most recent article provides more details related to the specific strains of mastitis during different weekly time intervals near breeding. Previous studies have shown gram-positive, gram-negative and other pathogens causing clinical mastitis reduce the likelihood of conception. Gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli were credited with having the greatest negative effect on reproduction.
In this analysis, researchers found strains caused by almost every pathogen including E. coli and Streptococcus had the greatest effects on fertility when they arose zero to seven days after insemination. On the other hand, mastitis caused by coagulase-negative Staphylococci was associated with a reduction in the probability of conception when it occurred 15 to 21 days before breeding but correlated with a higher conception rate than nonmastitic cases 29 to 35 days after breeding.
These results add clarity to the battle against mastitis, and producers should continue to be attentive to cases close to insemination. Since cows suffering from clinical mastitis near breeding are less likely to conceive, dairies interested in getting cows pregnant should focus their efforts on the normal areas of emphasis, including correct timing of insemination, proper heat detection, cow comfort and nutrition, but they should also consider mastitis prevention.
The author was the 26th Hoard's Dairyman editorial intern. She is a senior at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan. At KSU, Maggie is double majoring in agricultural communications and journalism and animal sciences and industry. Seiler grew up on a 130-cow registered Holstein dairy in Valley Center, Kan., near Wichita.
Researchers from Cornell University and the Netherlands have published several articles related to a data set of more than 90,000 artificial inseminations in New York between 2003 and 2011. Their most recent article provides more details related to the specific strains of mastitis during different weekly time intervals near breeding. Previous studies have shown gram-positive, gram-negative and other pathogens causing clinical mastitis reduce the likelihood of conception. Gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli were credited with having the greatest negative effect on reproduction.
In this analysis, researchers found strains caused by almost every pathogen including E. coli and Streptococcus had the greatest effects on fertility when they arose zero to seven days after insemination. On the other hand, mastitis caused by coagulase-negative Staphylococci was associated with a reduction in the probability of conception when it occurred 15 to 21 days before breeding but correlated with a higher conception rate than nonmastitic cases 29 to 35 days after breeding.
These results add clarity to the battle against mastitis, and producers should continue to be attentive to cases close to insemination. Since cows suffering from clinical mastitis near breeding are less likely to conceive, dairies interested in getting cows pregnant should focus their efforts on the normal areas of emphasis, including correct timing of insemination, proper heat detection, cow comfort and nutrition, but they should also consider mastitis prevention.
The author was the 26th Hoard's Dairyman editorial intern. She is a senior at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan. At KSU, Maggie is double majoring in agricultural communications and journalism and animal sciences and industry. Seiler grew up on a 130-cow registered Holstein dairy in Valley Center, Kan., near Wichita.
