Induced parturition and mastitis in dairy cows

Authors: Clayton D, Welch RAS
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 25, Issue 1-2, pp 42-43, Jan 1977
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Bacterial, Endocrine/autocrine/paracrine, Mammary gland/udder, Mastitis, Infectious disease, Parturition, Parturition - induced, Reproduction, Reproduction - female, Reproduction - hormones
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: The possibility that corticosteroids used to induce parturition could lower an animal`s resistance to infections is real but has been difficult to test experimentally because cows induced to calve are usually the latest calving cows in the herd and directly comparable cows are not available. Buddle, Midgley and Ashly (1976) suggest that corticosteroids used in this way may predispose cows to mastitis. We have examined records from two farms to compare the incidence of clinical mastitis in cows following induced calving with untreated controls…

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