title: Effects of bovine mammary gland biopsy and increased milking frequency on post-procedure udder health, histology, and milk yield.
abstract: Sixteen cows in early lactation were randomly distributed into two groups in order to evaluate the effects of mammary biopsies and increased milking frequency on tissue characteristics, post-biopsy udder health and histology. One group was milked twice a day (2×) starting on the 2nd day after calving, until 28 days in milk (DIM). The other group was milked four times a day (4×) from two to 21 DIM, and twice a day (2×) from 22 to 28 DIM. On days 2, 7, 14, 21, and 28 postpartum, one fragment of secretory tissue was collected from one mammary quarter at a time. Collections were alternated between the four mammary quarters per collection day. A total of 80 mammary tissue samples were collected. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the tissues were conducted by histologic examination. Animal health was assessed by observation of feed intake behavior immediately after biopsy, and weight and body condition score before and one week after biopsy. Udder health was assessed daily from calving to 60 DIM with California Mastitis Test (CMT) and by noting alterations in the milk such as blood, milk clots, blood clots, clinical signs of mastitis. Milk composition and somatic cell count (SCC) were analyzed before and after the biopsies. Milk production was evaluated before biopsy, on the day of biopsy, and after the biopsy. An average of 10 fields at 40× magnification was obtained from each sample. There were no evident changes in mammary morphology as a result of milking two or four times/day at any of the evaluated time points. Biopsy wounds healed rapidly without infection. Intramammary bleeding and CMT alterations were observed in 96% and 75% of the biopsied mammary quarters, respectively. Clinical mastitis was diagnosed in 12% of the biopsied quarters. Different milking frequencies had no effect on the frequency and duration of post-biopsy alterations. Milk production decreased after biopsies done on days 2 for 2× and 4× groups, but it returned to pre-biopsy values within 1 day. Milk composition and SCC were affected transiently. Increased milking frequency did not influence udder health. Post-biopsy recovery was rapid and the procedure proved effective without damaging the cows' health.
authors.affiliation: 1School of Veterinary Medicine,Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG),6627 Avenida Antônio Carlos POBox 567,Pampulha,Belo Horizonte,MG CEP 30123-970,Brazil.
authors.forename: J A M
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.affiliation: 2Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais - EPAMIG,Campo Experimental de Felixlândia,Avenida Perimetral,Zona Rural,Felixlândia,MG CEP 35794-000,Brazil.
authors.forename: J R M
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Ruas
authors.affiliation: 1School of Veterinary Medicine,Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG),6627 Avenida Antônio Carlos POBox 567,Pampulha,Belo Horizonte,MG CEP 30123-970,Brazil.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Vasconcelos
authors.affiliation: 3Faculty of Land and Food Systems,University of British Columbia,Vancouver,BC,Canada V6T 1Z4.
authors.forename: B F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Silper
authors.affiliation: 1School of Veterinary Medicine,Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG),6627 Avenida Antônio Carlos POBox 567,Pampulha,Belo Horizonte,MG CEP 30123-970,Brazil.
authors.forename: A M Q
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lana
authors.affiliation: 1School of Veterinary Medicine,Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG),6627 Avenida Antônio Carlos POBox 567,Pampulha,Belo Horizonte,MG CEP 30123-970,Brazil.
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Gheller
authors.affiliation: 1School of Veterinary Medicine,Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG),6627 Avenida Antônio Carlos POBox 567,Pampulha,Belo Horizonte,MG CEP 30123-970,Brazil.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Saturnino
authors.affiliation: 1School of Veterinary Medicine,Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG),6627 Avenida Antônio Carlos POBox 567,Pampulha,Belo Horizonte,MG CEP 30123-970,Brazil.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.affiliation: 1School of Veterinary Medicine,Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG),6627 Avenida Antônio Carlos POBox 567,Pampulha,Belo Horizonte,MG CEP 30123-970,Brazil.
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Coelho
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy / Q000662:veterinary*; D002417:Cattle; D002452:Cell Count; D003612:Dairying / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000166:cytology*; D008892:Milk / Q000502:physiology*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011897:Random Allocation
keywords: SCC; cow; histology