Treatment of an Intramammary Bacterial Infection with 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3
Author Information
Author(s): Lippolis John D., Reinhardt Timothy A., Sacco Randy A., Nonnecke Brian J., Nelson Corwin D.
Primary Institution: Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Ames, Iowa, United States of America
Hypothesis
Infusion of 25(OH)D3 into the mammary gland of a dairy cow infected with Streptococcus uberis would reduce the severity of the infection.
Conclusion
The treatment with 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 reduced bacterial counts and the severity of an acute bacterial infection in dairy cows.
Supporting Evidence
- 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 treated animals showed significantly lower bacterial counts in milk.
- Treatment reduced symptomatic effects of mastitis.
- 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 treatment delayed loss of milk production.
Takeaway
Giving cows a vitamin D supplement helped them fight off a bacterial infection in their udders.
Methodology
Ten lactating cows were infected with Streptococcus uberis and treated with 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 or a control treatment; milk samples were collected to measure bacterial counts.
Limitations
The study did not evaluate the broader issue of systemic vitamin D status on the course of disease.
Participant Demographics
Ten mid-lactation primiparous Holstein cows.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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