Effects of a Core Antigen Vaccine Against Gram-Negative Bacteria on Physiologic and Yield Parameters of Dairy Cows During Late Lactation and the Dry Period

¹ Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
² Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1

The objective of the study was to assess the effects of a core antigen vaccine against Gram-negative bacteria on feed consumption, milk yield, somatic cell count, hematologic parameters, and milk progesterone concentrations for dairy cows in late lactation and the dry period. Sixty-eight multiparous Holstein cows from two farms were paired by days in milk and were randomly selected to receive either the vaccine or placebo. Cows received a secondary immunization with the same product (vaccine or placebo) 3 wk following the primary immunization. The physiologic and yield outcomes were measured prior to each immunization, at the time of each immunization, and for one or more periods following each immunization. No significant differences between vaccinated and placebo groups were detected for daily milk weight, daily feed intake, somatic cell score, rectal body temperature, or milk progesterone concentration (pregnant cows). Cows in the vaccinated group had significant elevations in total blood leukocyte counts following the secondary immunization, which was due to an increase in the neutrophil fraction 24 h post-immunization.

Key Words: core antigen vaccine • physiologic parameters • yield

Submitted on December 5, 1997
Accepted on March 20, 1998