| Title: |
Effects of a Dietary Multi-Mineral Bolus on Udder Health in Dairy Cows: A Clinical Assessment |
| Authors: |
Jacopo Guccione; Maria Chiara Alterisio; Sergio Esposito; Giovanni D’Onghia; Sebastiano Tinelli; Antonio Di Loria; Beatrice Mercaldo; Alessandro Vastolo; Paolo Ciaramella |
| Source: |
Veterinary Sciences, Vol 11, Iss 12, p 621 (2024) |
| Publisher Information: |
MDPI AG, 2024. |
| Publication Year: |
2024 |
| Collection: |
LCC:Veterinary medicine |
| Subject Terms: |
mastitis; minerals; trace elements; copper; iodine; cobalt; Veterinary medicine; SF600-1100 |
| Description: |
The clinical effects on the udder health of several trace elements—copper, iodine, cobalt, and selenium—contained in an intraruminal slow-release bolus were explored for the first time. Fifty-four dairy cows received the bolus (treated group, TG), while fifty-three were left untreated (control group, CG). Monthly composite milk samples were collected from 30 to 300 days in milk to measure somatic cell count (SCC); milk production was also recorded on the same days. Cows with SCC > 200 × 103 cells/mL were considered as affected by mastitis (with or without clinical signs). The effects on udder health were evaluated using several clinical indices employed for mastitis monitoring. The TG cows had a higher average daily milk yield than CG (p < 0.001), as well as a lower overall daily average of SCC (p < 0.0001). Fewer overall mastitis cases were detected in TG than in CG (p < 0.0001), although no significant differences were observed in new or cured mastitis cases. Finally, fewer failures of existing mastitis to cure cases were detected in TG as compared to CG (p < 0.0001), as well as fewer chronic mastitis cases (p < 0.0001). By looking at the clinical findings, some potential benefits on udder health might be hypothesized; nevertheless, additional studies are necessary to confirm these encouraging results. |
| Document Type: |
article |
| File Description: |
electronic resource |
| Language: |
English |
| ISSN: |
2306-7381 |
| Relation: |
https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/11/12/621; https://doaj.org/toc/2306-7381 |
| DOI: |
10.3390/vetsci11120621 |
| Access URL: |
https://doaj.org/article/6ee30fad17fc4dfca706cbbf8c8dc738 |
| Accession Number: |
edsdoj.6ee30fad17fc4dfca706cbbf8c8dc738 |
| Database: |
Directory of Open Access Journals |