Oral and Poster Abstracts

195 Changes in Plasma Beta-Carotene Levels during the
Peripartum Period Relate to Ovulation of First Follicular
Wave Postpartum in Dairy Cows
K. Kida 1 , C. Kawashima 1 , F. Schweigert 3 , K. Sawada 4 , A. Miyamoto 2
1 Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Field
Center of Animal Science and Agriculture, Obihiro, Hokkaido,
Japan
2 Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine,
Graduate School of Animal and Food Hygiene, Obihiro, Hokkaido,
Japan
3 University of Potsdam, Department of Physiology and
Pathophysiology, Potsdam-Rehbruke, Germany
4 DSM Nutrition Japan, Tokyo, Japan
Introduction: The positive relationship between supplemental ßcarotene
levels and reproductive function has been shown. However,
relationship between physiological plasma‚ ß-carotene levels and
reproductive function is unclear. In addition, the plasma‚ ß-carotene
levels decrease from dry period to about first week (wk) postpartum
(pp). This coincides with negative energy balance which affects the
occurrence of first ovulation. The aim of our study was to investigate
the changes in plasma‚ ß-carotene levels, metabolic status, milk yield
and milk component during the peripartum period in ovular and
anovular cows at the first follicular wave pp.
Methods: Twenty-two multiparous Holstein cows were used for
profiling plasma‚ ß-carotene and metabolites during the peripartum
period. The cows were fed a TMR consisting of grass, corn silage and
concentrate. Blood samples for‚ ß-carotene and progesterone analyses
were collected from wk 3 prepartum to wk 3 pp. And samples for blood
metabolites and milk component were collected 2 times during the
experiment period. The ovulation of first follicular wave was confirmed
by progesterone levels and ultrasound. The data were compared
between the ovular and anovular groups.
Results: Thirteen cows ovulated at the first follicular wave pp. Parity,
length of dry period, calving interval, mastitis incidence and 305-days
milk yield during the last lactation did not differ between two groups.
Plasma‚ ß-carotene levels from wk 3 prepartum to wk 0 pp were lower
in anovular cows than in ovular cows (P 5% of cells were inflammatory cells
(predominately neutrophils some lymphocytes, and occasionally
monocytes). To achieve 90% confidence in the within farm estimate
approximately 20 cows were sampled per herd.
Results: 30 farms and 547 cows were enrolled in the study. The farm
size averaged 973 milking cows with a median of 881 cows (range 501
- 2400). 229 cows (42%; exact binomial 95% CI: 38-46%) were
positive for subclinical endometritis. Herd-level prevalence ranged
from 7.6% to 80.0% of the sampled cows with 1 st quartile equal to 28%
and the 3 rd quartile equal to 54%.
Conclusions: The prevalence of subclinical endometritis in this sample
population prior to first service is high and agrees with previous reports
using smaller numbers of cows. There is a large amount of variability
between herds. It appears there are as yet unidentified herd-level risk
factors associated with either a high or low risk for endometritis
between herds.
198 A Sanitation Program for Swiss Dairy Herds with Udder
Health Problems Caused by Intramammary Infections with
Staphylococcus aureus
M. Kirchhofer 1 , T. Kaufmann 1 , R. Eicher 2 , D. Strabel 3 , A. Steiner 1
1
University of Berne, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern,
Switzerland
2
Private, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Jegenstorf,
Switzerland
3
Rindergesundheitsdienst RGD, Lindau, Switzerland
Objectives of the study: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) as an
agent of herd udder health problems is well known. In a study carried
out by the Swiss Bovine Health Service between 1999 and 2004, S.
aureus was identified as the responsible bacteria in 80% of the cases of
herd udder health problems. It is also known that the diagnostic
sensitivity of routine bacteriology of intramammary infections (IMI)