Study of Mastitis Incidence in Cows of Dairy Farms in East Kazakhstan: Impacts of Nutrition, Endometritis and Mycotoxin Contamination

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate the prevalence, etiological factors, and diagnosis of mastitis in dairy farms located in East Kazakhstan. The study was conducted on two dairy farms, “Balke” and “Madi-R,” and examined a total of 490 cows. The findings indicate that the incidence of clinical and subclinical mastitis varied among the years studied. In 2016, the average incidence was 35.4%, which decreased to 19.6% in 2017, increased to 28.5% in 2018 and further decreased to 16.4% in 2019. Subclinical mastitis also exhibited variations in prevalence, with rates of 36.5% in 2016, 21.5% in 2017, 19.3% in 2018 and 22.6% in 2019. Feed analysis revealed the presence of mycotoxins synthesized by myogenic microorganisms. Additionally, milk samples from cows with mastitis identified bacteria such as Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Micrococcus lysodeikticus as the main microflora. The study also assessed the fertility rate in cows with mastitis and uterine pathology, finding a significantly lower rate of 1.4-1.9% compared to cows suffering only from mammary gland disease, which exhibited a fertility rate of 6.3%. Blood samples from cows with mastitis showed reduced levels of calcium, phosphorus, reserve alkalinity, and carotene compared to normal levels. In conclusion, this research provides valuable insights into the prevalence, etiological factors, and diagnosis of mastitis in East Kazakhstan's dairy farms. The findings emphasize the importance of implementing strategies to manage mastitis effectively and prevent its detrimental effects on cow health and productivity.