Search Results (1,052)

Bovine mastitis, particularly that caused by Staphylococcus aureus, presents a major challenge to dairy production worldwide due to its economic impact, animal welfare concerns, and zoonotic potential. This narrative review synthesizes current literature on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, resistance patterns, and control strategies related to S. aureus-associated mastitis in dairy cattle. It highlights the pathogen’s virulence mechanisms, such as biofilm formation, immune evasion, and toxin production, that facilitate persistent infections. The review compiles global prevalence data, revealing significant geographic variation and disparities between clinical and subclinical cases. Antimicrobial resistance, especially the emergence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), is extensively examined alongside resistance gene profiles. Diagnostic approaches, including culture, PCR, MALDI-TOF MS, and AI-based systems, are evaluated for their sensitivity and field applicability. Additionally, the review addresses public health implications, zoonotic risks, and One Health perspectives, culminating in an exploration of prevention strategies, including improved hygiene, vaccination, dry cow therapy, and AI-driven herd management. The findings emphasize the urgent need for integrated surveillance, precision diagnostics, and targeted interventions to mitigate the burden of S. aureus mastitis. Full article

Subclinical mastitis in dairy cows poses a significant challenge to the dairy industry, leading to reduced milk yield, altered milk composition, compromised animal health, and substantial economic losses for dairy farmers. A model based on the XGBoost algorithm, optimized with an Improved GOOSE Optimization Algorithm (IGOOSE), is presented in this work as an innovative approach for predicting subclinical mastitis in order to overcome these problems. The Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) records of 4154 cows served as the model’s original foundation. A total of 3232 samples with 21 characteristics made up the final dataset, following extensive data cleaning and preprocessing. To overcome the shortcomings of the original GOOSE algorithm in intricate, high-dimensional problem spaces, three significant enhancements were made. First, an elite inverse strategy was implemented to improve population initialization, enhancing the algorithm’s balance between global exploration and local exploitation. Second, an adaptive nonlinear control factor was added to increase the algorithm’s stability and convergence speed. Lastly, a golden sine strategy was adopted to reduce the risk of premature convergence to suboptimal solutions. According to experimental results, the IGOOSE-XGBoost model works better than other models in predicting subclinical mastitis, especially when it comes to recognizing somatic cell scores, which are important markers of the illness. This study provides a strong predictive framework for managing the health of dairy cows, allowing for the prompt identification and treatment of subclinical mastitis, which enhances the efficiency and quality of milk supply. Full article

To develop sustainable strategies for mitigating ruminal methanogenesis and improving nitrogen efficiency in dairy systems, this study investigated how low-dose tannic acid (T), tea polyphenols (TP), and their combination (T+TP; 50:50) modulate rumen microbiota and function. A sample of Holstein cows were given four dietary treatments: (1) control (basal diet); (2) T (basal diet + 0.4% DM tannic acid); (3) TP (basal diet + 0.4% DM tea polyphenols); and (4) T+TP (basal diet + 0.2% DM tannic acid + 0.2% DM tea polyphenols). We comprehensively analyzed rumen fermentation, methane production, nutrient digestibility, milk parameters, and microbiota dynamics. Compared with the control group, all diets supplemented with additives significantly reduced enteric methane production (13.68% for T, 11.40% for TP, and 10.89% for T+TP) and significantly increased milk protein yield. The crude protein digestibility significantly increased in the T group versus control. The results did not impair rumen health or fiber digestion. Critically, microbiota analysis revealed treatment-specific modulation: the T group showed decreased Ruminococcus flavefaciens abundance, while all tannin treatments reduced abundances of Ruminococcus albus and total methanogens. These microbial shifts corresponded with functional outcomes—most notably, the T+TP synergy drove the largest reductions in rumen ammonia-N (34.5%) and milk urea nitrogen (21.1%). Supplementation at 0.4% DM, particularly the T+TP combination, effectively enhances nitrogen efficiency and milk protein synthesis while reducing methane emissions through targeted modulation of key rumen microbiota populations, suggesting potential sustainability benefits linked to altered rumen fermentation. Full article

Maintaining teat-end integrity in dairy cows is essential to preventing intramammary infections (IMIs) in dairy cows, yet the relationship between hyperkeratosis, teat conformation, and mammary health remais underexplored. This study evaluated the relationship between teat-end hyperkeratosis, teat conformation traits, microbial colonization, and somatic cell count (SCC) in milk from 170 cows on ten commercial dairy farms in Santa Catarina, Brazil. During two farm visits, milk and teat-end swab samples from paired teats (one with hyperkeratosis, one without) were analyzed for microbial growth and SCC. SCC data were transformed into somatic cell scores (SCS). Results showed no significant association between hyperkeratosis and mastitis microorganisms, although environmental microorganisms tended to be more frequent in hyperkeratotic teats (p = 0.0778). Major microorganisms in milk were significantly associated with higher SCC (p = 0.0132). No relationship was observed between teat conformation traits and hyperkeratosis. These findings suggest that hyperkeratosis may subtly influence the teat canal to environmental bacterial colonization, underscoring the need for improved milking management practices to minimize hyperkeratosis and associated mastitis risks. Full article

Background: The relationship between sports participation and food preferences in adults, as well as the influence of gender, is still unclear. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between sports participation and individual food preferences and to explore potential gender differences among sports participants in a large group of Italian adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 2665 adults (aged ≥ 18 years) who lead normal lives and underwent a routine lifestyle and dietary assessment at a clinical centre specialising in nutrition, metabolic health, and lifestyle counselling in Rome. Participants completed an online questionnaire on food preferences (19 foods) and sports practice. Multivariate logistic regression models, adjusted for age, sex, and smoking, were used to assess associations. Results: Sports participation was defined as engaging in structured physical activity at least once per week and was reported by 53.5% of subjects (men: 60.1%; women: 49.0%; p < 0.0001). After adjustment, active individuals were significantly more likely to prefer plant-based drinks, low-fat yoghurt, fish, cooked and raw vegetables, fruit, whole grains, tofu, and dark chocolate (all p < 0.05) and less likely to prefer cow’s milk (p = 0.018). Among sport participants, males were more likely to prefer meat (general, white, red, processed) and eggs, while females preferred plant-based drinks. No significant gender differences were observed for dairy products, legumes, or fish. Differences in food preferences were also observed according to the type of sport, with bodybuilders showing higher preference for tofu and dark chocolate. The strongest associations were found in the 25–44 age group. Conclusions: Sports participation is independently associated with specific food preferences, characterised by greater preference for plant-based and fibre-rich foods, and gender differences in food choices persist even among active adults. These findings highlight the need to consider both sports participation and gender when designing nutritional interventions. Full article

Leptospirosis is a globally significant zoonosis affecting animal health, productivity, and the environment. While typically associated with tropical climates, its persistence in semi-arid regions such as La Laguna, Mexico—characterized by low humidity, high temperatures, and limited water sources—remains poorly understood. Although these adverse environmental conditions theoretically limit the survival of Leptospira, high livestock density and synanthropic reservoirs (e.g., rodents) may compensate, facilitating transmission. In this cross-sectional study, blood sera from 445 dairy cows (28 herds: 12 intensive [MI], 16 semi-intensive [MSI] systems) were analyzed via microscopic agglutination testing (MAT) against 10 pathogenic serovars. Urine samples were cultured for active Leptospira detection. Risk factors were assessed through epidemiological surveys and multivariable analysis. This study revealed an overall apparent seroprevalence of 27.0% (95% CI: 22.8–31.1), with significantly higher rates in MSI (54.1%) versus MI (12.2%) herds (p < 0.001) and an estimated true seroprevalence of 56.3% (95% CI: 50.2–62.1) in MSI and 13.1% (95% CI: 8.5–18.7) in MI herds (p < 0.001). The Sejroe serogroup was isolated from urine in both systems, confirming active circulation. In MI herds, rodent presence (OR: 3.6; 95% CI: 1.6–7.9) was identified as a risk factor for Leptospira seropositivity, while first-trimester abortions (OR:10.1; 95% CI: 4.2–24.2) were significantly associated with infection. In MSI herds, risk factors associated with Leptospira seropositivity included co-occurrence with hens (OR: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.5–5.3) and natural breeding (OR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.1–3.9), whereas mastitis/agalactiae (OR: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.5–5.2) represented a clinical outcome associated with seropositivity. Despite semi-arid conditions, Leptospira maintains transmission in La Laguna, particularly in semi-intensive systems. The coexistence of adapted (Sejroe) and incidental serogroups underscores the need for targeted interventions, such as rodent control in MI systems and poultry management in MSI systems, to mitigate both zoonotic and economic impacts. Full article

A unique line of Holstein cattle has been maintained without selection in Minnesota since 1964. After many generations, unselected cattle produce less milk, but have better reproductive performance and health traits when compared with contemporary cows. Comparisons between this line of unselected Holstein and those under selection provide useful insights that connect selection and complex traits in cattle. Utilizing these unique resources and sequence data, we sought to identify genome changes due to selection. We sequenced 30 unselected and 54 selected Holstein cattle and compared their sequence variants to identify selection signatures. After many years, the two populations showed completely different patterns in their genome-level population structures and linkage disequilibrium. By integrating signals from five different detection methods, we detected consensus selection signatures from at least four methods covering 14,533 SNPs and 155 protein-coding genes. An integrated analysis of selection signatures with gene annotation, pathways, and the cattle QTL database demonstrated that the genomic regions under selection are related to milk productivity, health, and reproductive efficiency. The polygenic nature of these complex traits is evident from hundreds of selection signatures and candidate genes, suggesting that long-term artificial selection has acted on the whole genome rather than a few major genes. In summary, our study identified candidate selection signatures underlying phenotypic differences between unselected and selected Holstein cows and revealed insights into the genetic basis of complex traits in cattle. Full article

The somatic cell count (SCC) and differential somatic cell count (DSCC) are proxies for the udder health of dairy cattle, regarded as the criterion of mastitis identification with healthy, suspicious mastitis, mastitis, and chronic/persistent mastitis. However, SCC and DSCC are tested using flow cytometry, which is expensive and time-consuming, particularly for DSCC analysis. Mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIR) enables qualitative and quantitative analysis of milk constituents with great advantages, being cheap, non-destructive, fast, and high-throughput. The objective of this study is to develop a dairy cattle udder health status diagnostic model of MIR. Data on milk composition, SCC, DSCC, and MIR from 2288 milk samples collected in dairy farms were analyzed using the CombiFoss 7 DC instrument (FOSS, Hilleroed, Denmark). Three MIR spectral preprocessing methods, six modeling algorithms, and three different sets of MIR spectral data were employed in various combinations to develop several diagnostic models for mastitis of dairy cattle. The MIR diagnostic model of effectively identifying the healthy and mastitis cattle was developed using a spectral preprocessing method of difference (DIFF), a modeling algorithm of Random Forest (RF), and 1060 wavenumbers, abbreviated as “DIFF-RF-1060 wavenumbers”, and the AUC reached 1.00 in the training set and 0.80 in the test set. The other MIR diagnostic model of effectively distinguishing mastitis and chronic/persistent mastitis cows was “DIFF-SVM-274 wavenumbers”, with an AUC of 0.87 in the training set and 0.85 in the test set. For more effective use of the model on dairy farms, it is necessary and worthwhile to gather more representative and diverse samples to improve the diagnostic precision and versatility of these models. Full article

This study proposed an online early lameness detection method for dairy cow health management to overcome the inability of wearable sensor-based methods for online detection and low sensitivity to early lameness. Wearable IMU sensors collected acceleration data in stationary and moving states; a threshold discrimination module using variance of motion-direction acceleration was designed to distinguish states within 2 s, enabling rapid data screening. For moving-state windowed data, the InceptionTime network was modified with YOLOConv1D and SeparableConv1D modules plus Dropout, which significantly reduced model parameters and helped mitigate overfitting risk, enhancing generalization on the test set. Typical gait features were fused with deep features automatically learned by the network, enabling accurate discrimination among healthy, mild (early) lameness, and severe lameness. Results showed that the online detection model achieved 80.6% dairy cow health status detection accuracy with 0.8 ms single-decision latency. The recall and F1 score for lameness, including early and severe cases, reached 89.11% and 88.93%, demonstrating potential for early and progressive lameness detection. This study improves lameness detection efficiency and validates the feasibility and practical value of wearable sensor-based gait analysis for dairy cow health management, providing new approaches and technical support for monitoring and early intervention on large-scale farms. Full article

Milk lactose concentration has been proposed as a noninvasive indicator of metabolic health in dairy cows, particularly during early lactation when metabolic demands are elevated. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between milk lactose levels and physiological, biochemical, and behavioral parameters in early-lactation Holstein cows. Twenty-eight clinically healthy cows were divided into two groups: Group 1 (milk lactose < 4.70%, n = 14) and Group 2 (milk lactose ≥ 4.70%, n = 14). Both groups were monitored over a 21-day period using the Brolis HerdLine in-line milk analyzer (Brolis Sensor Technology, Vilnius, Lithuania) and SmaXtec intraruminal boluses (SmaXtec Animal Care Technology^®, Graz, Austria). Parameters including milk yield, milk composition (lactose, fat, protein, and fat-to-protein ratio), blood biomarkers, and behavior were recorded. Cows with higher milk lactose concentrations (≥4.70%) produced significantly more milk (+12.76%) and showed increased water intake (+15.44%), as well as elevated levels of urea (+21.63%), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (+22.96%), glucose (+4.75%), magnesium (+8.25%), and iron (+13.41%) compared to cows with lower lactose concentrations (<4.70%). A moderate positive correlation was found between milk lactose and urea levels (r = 0.429, p < 0.01), and low but significant correlations were observed with other indicators. These findings support the use of milk lactose concentration as a practical biomarker for assessing metabolic and physiological status in dairy cows, and highlight the value of integrating real-time monitoring technologies in precision livestock management. Full article

Inflammatory processes within the body have been hypothesised to be causative agents of various health complications, including reproductive issues. This study investigates the effects of mastitis on ovarian morphometry and fertility outcomes while also comparing the effectiveness of different synchronisation protocols in affected cows. Healthy multiparous Holstein dairy cows, in their second to fifth lactations and with an average milk yield of approximately 12,000 kg in the preceding lactation, were selected for this study. The average milk yield per lactation was approximately 12,000 kg, with an average daily milk yield of 30 kg. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of mastitis on the reproductive cycle, ovarian morphometry, and function in dairy cows, as well as its effect on synchronisation efficiency. This study focused on both clinically healthy cows and those diagnosed with clinical mastitis postpartum. Three different synchronisation protocols—OvSynch, G7G, and Presynch—were evaluated at 60 days in milk (DIM). A total of 110 cows were included in this study, with 53 being clinically healthy and 57 affected by mastitis. The results indicated that inflammation affects ovarian morphometric parameters such as the area and the number of functional structures. In addition, the G7G protocol was observed to result in higher conception rates in cows suffering from mastitis following the second insemination. This study demonstrated that cows that developed mastitis within the first 30 DIM exhibited higher conception rates after the first insemination compared to those in cows that developed mastitis later in lactation. Full article

The uterine microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining postpartum reproductive health in dairy cows, and its dysregulation is closely associated with uterine diseases. Vaginal discharge characteristics serve as important clinical indicators for assessing uterine status and guiding clinical decision-making. This study employed 16S rRNA gene sequencing to analyze uterine microbial diversity in cows with different discharge types. Results revealed significant microbial shifts associated with discharge severity. Notably, Caviibacter was highly enriched (up to 60.25%) in cows with mildly purulent discharge (<50%), suggesting its potential role in early-stage endometritis. In contrast, Fusobacterium and Helcococcus dominated when purulent discharge exceeded 50%, while Bacteroides, Porphyromonas, and Peptostreptococcus prevailed in cows with malodorous or discolored secretions, indicating severe inflammation. This study extends previous findings by uncovering stage-specific microbial transitions and proposing Caviibacter as a potential early biomarker of endometritis. These insights support early diagnosis and targeted interventions, contributing to improved reproductive management and sustainable dairy farming. Full article

Our study aimed to identify the overall and cluster-specific characteristics of Czech beef cattle breeding systems. We used data from an online survey to ascertain farmers’ preferences in breeding objectives. Considering various evaluation criteria and clustering approaches in 41 farms, three beef systems were defined according to herd size, management, marketing, breeding strategies and structures, and farmer age. Breeding values and performance were jointly used as the primary information in all three systems. Cow temperament and calf viability, maternal fertility and longevity, and animal health were found to be the most important traits. Cluster 1 represents pure-breeding farms that specialize in producing breeding animals. Farms in clusters 2 and 3 combined pure- and crossbreeding strategies with production, which was partially (cluster 2) and fully (cluster 3) diversified for all beef categories. Farms also prioritized calving performance and calf growth (clusters 1 and 2) and exterior traits (cluster 3). Production type scores significantly (p < 0.05) differed in clusters 3 (4.12) and 2 (3.25). The proportion of production, functional, and exterior trait categories was 12:37:51, with low variability among clusters (±1 to 2 percentage points). The inter-cluster comparison showed that specific characteristics were compatible with certain breeding goal trait preferences. Full article

This on-farm study evaluated the effects of a regenerative (plant polyculture) as compared to conventional (monoculture) pasture-based New Zealand dairy production system on milk and yoghurt nutraceutical properties and environmental impact. Milk and yoghurt produced by two adjacent regenerative and conventional farms were sampled throughout the year and analyzed for chemical composition, metabolomics, and microbiome. Milk samples were also collected over four consecutive days (one day after herbage sampling) on four occasions throughout lactation: early lactation (October), peak lactation (December/January), mid-lactation (March), and late lactation (May). Overall, the regenerative system had a lower environmental impact while maintaining a similar yield and the same milk composition compared to conventional systems. Furthermore, milk and yoghurt from the regenerative system had a more favourable profile of phytochemical antioxidants with potential positive benefits to human health (anti-inflammatory and antioxidant). Full article

This online survey aimed to gather consumer opinions on dairy products and production and to identify the potential market for A2 milk (milk containing exclusively β-casein A2, which reduces gastrointestinal discomfort after consumption). The questionnaire included seven sections covering the consumption of dairy products, sociodemographic aspects, awareness and purchase intention of A2 milk, questions about milk as a source of nutrients and health benefits, the environmental impact of milk production, and alternatives to cow milk. Responses from 672 Spanish consumers categorized into clusters (according to their milk consumption and their discomfort after drinking it), gender, age, educational level, and milk taste preference were analyzed using a linear multiple regression model. Dairy consumers not experiencing discomfort after drinking milk (62.6%) and those who preferred the taste of milk over plant-based alternatives (64.0%) demonstrated better knowledge of milk nutrients and its health benefits. Participants’ age, gender, and education level also influenced their perceptions, with older participants, women, and those with university education generally showing better results. In conclusion, clusters impact consumers’ milk perceptions as a nutritional source and its health benefits. The positive perception of milk’s nutritional benefits among dairy consumers experiencing discomfort after drinking milk (17.3%) positions them as a strong target market for A2 milk. Full article