title: A new technique for repeated biopsies of the mammary gland in dairy cows allotted to Latin-square design studies.
abstract: The objective of this study was to develop a technique for carrying out repeated biopsies of the mammary gland of lactating dairy cows that provides enough material to monitor enzyme activities and gene expression in mammary secretory tissue. A total of 16 Holstein cows were subjected to 4 mammary biopsies each at 3-week intervals for a total of 64 biopsies. A 0.75-cm incision was made through the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the mammary gland and a trocar and cannula were inserted using a circular motion. The trocar was withdrawn and a syringe was plugged into the base of the cannula to create a vacuum for sampling mammary tissue. To reduce bleeding, hand pressure was put on the surgery site after biopsy and skin closure and ice was applied for at least 2 h after the biopsy using a cow bra. The entire procedure took an average of 25 min. Two attempts were usually enough to obtain 800 mg of tissue. Visual examination of milk samples 10 d after the biopsy indicated no trace of blood, except in samples from 2 cows. All wounds healed without infection and subcutaneous hematomas resorbed within 7 d. There was no incidence of mastitis throughout the lactation. This technique provides a new tool for biopsy of the mammary gland repeated at short intervals with the main effect being a decrease in milk production. Although secondary complications leading to illness or death are always a risk with any procedure, this biopsy technique was carried out without complications to the health of animals and with no incidence of mastitis during the lactation.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR 87020-900, Brazil (Lima, Marchi, Santos); Clinique Vétérinaire de Coaticook, Coaticook, Québec J1A 1P9 (Martineau); Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 2000 College Street, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1M 0C8 (Palin, Petit).
authors.forename: Luciano S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: de Lima
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR 87020-900, Brazil (Lima, Marchi, Santos); Clinique Vétérinaire de Coaticook, Coaticook, Québec J1A 1P9 (Martineau); Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 2000 College Street, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1M 0C8 (Palin, Petit).
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martineau
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR 87020-900, Brazil (Lima, Marchi, Santos); Clinique Vétérinaire de Coaticook, Coaticook, Québec J1A 1P9 (Martineau); Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 2000 College Street, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1M 0C8 (Palin, Petit).
authors.forename: Francilaine E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: De Marchi
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR 87020-900, Brazil (Lima, Marchi, Santos); Clinique Vétérinaire de Coaticook, Coaticook, Québec J1A 1P9 (Martineau); Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 2000 College Street, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1M 0C8 (Palin, Petit).
authors.forename: Marie-France
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Palin
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR 87020-900, Brazil (Lima, Marchi, Santos); Clinique Vétérinaire de Coaticook, Coaticook, Québec J1A 1P9 (Martineau); Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 2000 College Street, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1M 0C8 (Palin, Petit).
authors.forename: Geraldo T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR 87020-900, Brazil (Lima, Marchi, Santos); Clinique Vétérinaire de Coaticook, Coaticook, Québec J1A 1P9 (Martineau); Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 2000 College Street, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1M 0C8 (Palin, Petit).
authors.forename: Hélène V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Petit
mesh_terms: D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D002417:Cattle; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000473:pathology*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008012:Lidocaine