The effect of single-dose cabergoline application before drying in dairy cattle on mammary involution and dry period mastitis

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of single-dose cabergoline administration on udder involution and mastitis infections during the dry period. Two study groups were formed from 65 Holstein Friesian cows that were within the last three months of their lactation period with no history of mastitis, had a CMT score of 0 in each mammary lobe, with a milk output of >17 liters/day at the start of the dry period. Groups were named as cabergoline (GKab) and control (GKon). The GKab group (n=33) received a single i.m. injection of 5,6 mg/5 ml cabergoline (Velactis®, Ceva Santé Animale, France), while the cows in the GKon group (n=32) received a single im injection of saline (5 ml). The serum PRL levels in GKab and GKon groups were 62.6±125.1 ng/ml and 98.2±153.1 ng/ml (p<0.045) at the first day, respectively. Milk leakage was recorded in GKab and GKon as 3.0% (1/33) and 46.9% (15/32) (p<0.001) at the 1st day of the dry period; 18.2% (6/33) and 56.3% (18/32) (p=0.002) at the 2nd day of the dry period respectively. Mammary measurements were 7.69±1.45 cm and 6.55±1.35 cm (p=0.002) at the 0th day, 6.90±2.01 cm and 8.29±1.56 cm (p=0.001) at the 1st day, 7.37±1.79 cm and 8.84±1.86 cm (p=0.002) at the 2nd day for the GKab abd GKon groups respectively. The postpartum mastitis ratios were 3.0% (1/33) and 21.9% (7/32) in the GKab and GKon groups, respectively. When the data obtained as a result of the doctoral thesis study were evaluated, single-dose cabergoline application; did not cause any side effects in cows; significantly reduced the incidence of milk leakage; It clinically accelerated mammary involution and showed that it could be a good management strategy in preventing mastitis cases originating from the dry period. Keywords: Cabergoline, Drying-off, Dry period, Mastitis, Mammary involution, Milk leakage.