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Effects of intramammary antibiotic therapy during the dry period on the performance of Lacaune dairy sheep under intensive management

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 December 2014

Fernando Hernandez ,
Laura Elvira ,
Beatriz Fernández ,
Marta Egea ,
Antonio Gonzalez-Bulnes ,
Juan V Gonzalez-Martin  and
Susana Astiz
Fernando Hernandez
Affiliation:
Granja Cerromonte SL, San Juan de la Encinilla, 05358 Ávila, Spain
Laura Elvira
Affiliation:
TRIALVET S.L., C/Encina, 22, 28721 Cabanillas de la Sierra, Madrid, Spain
Beatriz Fernández
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA, Avda Pta. de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Marta Egea
Affiliation:
Outcomes Research Department, Pfizer Spain, Avda Europa 20B, 28108, Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain
Antonio Gonzalez-Bulnes
Affiliation:
Outcomes Research Department, Pfizer Spain, Avda Europa 20B, 28108, Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain
Juan V Gonzalez-Martin
Affiliation:
TRIALVET S.L., C/Encina, 22, 28721 Cabanillas de la Sierra, Madrid, Spain Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Avda. Pta. de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Susana Astiz*
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA, Avda Pta. de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
*
*For correspondence; e-mail: astiz.susana@inia.es
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Abstract

Often the only way to ensure profitability of Lacaune dairy sheep is intensive management, which requires appropriate dry-period treatment to ensure animal productivity and health. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of intramammary antibiotic dry therapy on the performance and health of Lacaune sheep under intensive management. We recorded data for 5981 complete lactation periods that followed a dry period. A total of 2402 lactation periods were preceded by a dry period involving intramammary administration of 300 mg of cephapirin benzathine (antibiotic group) and 3579 lactation periods were preceded by dry periods with no treatment (control group). The following on-farm yield data were collected for individual lactation periods: length of the subsequent lactation period; total milk yield per lactation period; daily milk yield and length of the subsequent dry period. Data on confounding factors that might affect productivity were also recorded, including the individual ewe, number of lactation periods and length of the previous dry period. Milk quality was assessed using data on somatic cell count (SCC) and content of protein and fat taken from the Spanish National Official Milk Yield Recording System. Antibiotic dry therapy significantly improved total yield per lactation period, which was 429±151·1 l in the antibiotic group and 412±165·5 l in the control group, as well as the daily milk yield, which was 1986±497·0 and 1851±543·2 ml/d, respectively (both P<0·0001). The initial dry period was significantly longer in the antibiotic group than in the control group, and dry period length correlated inversely with yield variables such us total yield per lactation period (r=−0·055; P<0·0001) and yield per day in milk (r=−0·039; P<0·0001). As a result, milk yield records systematically underestimated the positive effects of antibiotic dry therapy. Antibiotic dry therapy also significantly improved milk quality. Milk from the antibiotic group showed 50% lower SCC (573±1326 vs. 1022±2126 cells/ml; P<0·0001) and slightly higher content in fat (7·33±0·91 vs. 7·15±0·87%) and protein (5·63±0·44 vs. 5·44±0·4%). The results of this study suggest that cephalosporin dry therapy of Lacaune dairy sheep increases milk production and improves milk quality during subsequent lactation periods.

Keywords

Lacaunedairy sheepantibiotic dry therapycephalosporinSCCintensive management
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Dairy Research , Volume 82 , Issue 1 , February 2015 , pp. 95 - 101
Copyright
Copyright © Proprietors of Journal of Dairy Research 2014 

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