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Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 66 No. 4 904-908
© 1983 by American Dairy Science Association ®
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Effects of Sarcocystosis on Milk Production of Dairy Cows

Ronald Fayer1, G. Paul Lynch2, Robert G. Leek1 and Louis C. Gasbarre1

Animal Parasitology Institute and Animal Science Institute, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705

ABSTRACT

Sixteen multiparous Holstein cows were allotted randomly to four groups of four cows each. Cows in 1 and 2 were uninfected. Those in 3 received 60,000 and those in 4 received 120,000 Sarcocystis bovicanis sporocysts per os approximately 30 days before the expected onset of lactation to produce nonclinical and clinical infections in 3 and 4, respectively. Combined stresses of infection, parturition, lactation, and high ambient temperatures caused all infected cows to develop clinical illness. Clinical signs included fever, anemia, glossitis, myositis, nasal discharge, hypersalivation, anorexia, and hind limb weakness; two cows died and two others were killed in extremis. Six cows in 3 and 4 developed high Sarcocystis-specific immunoglobulin Gj antibody. Uninfected control cows had no clinical signs and no rising concentrations of antibody against Sarcocystis antigen. When lactation began, cows were milked twice daily, and milk production was recorded for 70 consecutive days. All Sarcocystis-iniected cows (3 and 4) decreased feed intake and milk production compared with uninfected controls. The Wisconsin Mastitis Test on milk samples at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 wk of lactation did not differ among groups.

FOOTNOTES

1 Animal Parasitology Institute.

2 Animal Science Institute.






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Copyright © 1983 by the American Dairy Science Association ®.