Warning Signs of Mastitis in Dairy Cows

At the outset, thanx for posting the above information regarding Mastitis in dairy cattle herd. Interested to know about prevention and using vaccines in controlling severity of clinical mastitis and economic loss of Indian farmers in west-Bengal the eastern part of India. Can we get the journals or books on Mastitis control protocol and how it has impact on the economy of a dairy farm in Indian context? With warm regards, R.N.SOM/Advisor of Alampur dairy farm, West-Bengal, Calcutta, India. 

Is there a relation between SCC and specific causative organism of Mastitis in dairy cattle?

Hi. The parameters considered in Danish study and presented in this paper for udder health are indeed the manifestations after the lesions in the udder are inflicted and inflammatory reaction sets-in thereafter. The writer has pointed out the influx of Sodium and chloride ions causing electrical changes in milk after damages to mammary gland inflicted by Mastitis in dairy cattle. It is further mentioned that there is break-down of 'barriers' between blood and milk and lactose and citrate diffuse through these capillaries resulting in lowering their concentrations in milk.The crux of mastitis riddle lies here as to how the damages to mammary secretory epithelium does, infact, occur? This conundrum of mastitis problem is briefly explained here.

Citrate plays a pivotal role in the udder in maintaining the normal pH (~6.50) of milk through equiliberating Ca2+ and H+ and act as most effective buffer. Futhermore, citrate sequesters Ca2+ and maintains the fluidity of milk in the udder. Moreover, Citrate is central to the tricarboxylic acid cycle for production of energy and fatty acids. Hence, any disturbance in the synthesis of citrate in secretory epithelial cells of udder all these processes go haywire. Under lowered citrate concentrations the Ca2+ become 'free' and behave like lime , thus , causing injury to the secretory epithelium resulting in swelling of the area. Due to injury induced by calcium the "Tight junctions" of secretory epithelial cells become compromised and leaky. There occurs swapping of ions like Sodium, Potasium, Chloride and bicarbonate from blood into milk and citrate from milk into blood. These exchanges raise the pH of milk and brings equal to that of blood i.e., 7.40 or higher depending upon the severity of damages to the secretory tissues. The injured areas are invaded by environmental organisms( Staph., Strept. E. coli etc.) present in and arround udder with ensueing infected lesions. The infection in the udder triggers the body defense mechanisms attracting inflammatory cells mainly polymorphleukocytes (PML) through leaky " tight Junctions" and an explosive inflammatory reaction is set-up.

Therefore, the most important parameter to diagnose mastitis at the earliest is to record the pH of milk from the affected quarter(s) on the spot with graded pH papers or pen pH meter. Estimation of citrate in milk should be monitored in dairy animals throughout this period. Thereafter, the treatment with tri-Sodium citrate orally or I/V should be started immediately to cure the affected animal. Tri-sodium citrate can also be ured as a preventative for mastitis. This salt is a normal content of biological system, hence, no need to discard milk, no hazards to the consumer and most economical. This treatment has been recorded to be effective against mastitis resistant to routinely employed antimicrobials.

Radical points to be noted:
1. At normal pH (~6.50) of udder milk the usually isolated organisms-Staph.,Strept. E. coli etc., can not grow.
2. These organisms can invade only when initial lesion is inflicted by Ca2+ and alkaline pH thereafter is provided by leaky "tight junctions" by swapping of ions from blood/milk.
3. The changes in composition of milk occurs due to disturbed synthesis of Citate in secretory mammary epithelium.
4. The replenishment of citrate deficiency in udder through oral or I/V administeration of TSC cures Mastitis.
5. The "Tight junctions" between secretory epithelium remain closed during lacattion.

Dr Kundan Singh Dhillon and Dr. Jasmer Singh

May thaks for your reply. Can you help me to find ome Frech professors dealig with Mastitis in dairy cattle?