Effects of ozonized glycerin on inflammation of mammary glands induced by intramammary lipopolysaccharide infusion in goats

Effect of mastitis during early-stage pregnancy on the immunity levels and pregnancy function of goats

In this study, we investigated the effects of mammary inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Staphylococcus aureus (SA) infusions on pregnancy function during early pregnancy in goats. In Experiment 1, pregnant goats were subjected to an intramammary LPS infusion for 1 week from Days 60-66 after natural mating (n = 5), and in Experiment 2, they received intramammary infusions of either saline, LPS, or SA for 1 week from Days 45-51 after natural mating (n = 15). Blood was collected to determine the plasma cytokine, cortisol, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2α (PGFM), and progesterone levels. Pregnancy length was significantly longer in the LPS-treated group than that for the saline-treated group of experiment 2. Cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-8, Tumor necrosis factor-α: TNF-α) after LPS (in both Experiments 1 and 2) and SA (in Experiment 2) infusion were significantly higher compared with those before infusion. In Experiment 2, the SA-infused group showed significantly higher TNF-α concentrations than those in the saline group. Cortisol levels increased in both experiment 1 and 2 after LPS infusion, but not after saline and SA treatments. Furthermore, PGFM levels increased after LPS infusion in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2, LPS- and SA-infused goats showed significantly higher PGFM levels than those in the saline-infused goats. However, the progesterone levels decreased after LPS treatment in Experiment 1. Our results show that intramammary LPS infusion during the early stage of pregnancy in goats induces inflammatory cytokine and stress hormone production, which prolongs the pregnancy period.

Effect of milking time on yield, composition, and antimicrobial components of milk in lactating goats

Various studies have attempted to improve the milk yield and composition in dairy animals. However, no study has examined the effects of milking at different times on milk yield and composition. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the yield, composition, and antimicrobial components of milk obtained from milking at different times in lactating goats. Eight goats were milked once daily at different times for three consecutive weeks (first week: 06:00 h; second week: 09:00 h; and third week: 12:00 h). The light ranged from 06:30 to 19:00 h. Milk and blood samples were collected once a day during milking time. Milking at 09:00 h resulted in a significantly higher milk yield than that obtained after milking at 06:00 and 12:00 h. Prolactin levels in plasma and the fat, Na+, β-defensin, and S100A7 (antimicrobial component) levels in milk were the lowest in the 09:00 h milking. These results indicate that milk yield, composition, and antimicrobial components can be affected by milking time, which may be related to the altered concentration of prolactin in the blood. These findings provide a rational basis for achieving maximal milk production with strong immunity by changing to a more effective milking time.

In Vitro Activity of Ozone/Oxygen Gaseous Mixture against a Caprine Herpesvirus Type 1 Strain Isolated from a Goat with Vaginitis

Alphaherpesviruses cause genital lesions and reproductive failure in both humans and animals. Their control is mainly based on prevention using hygienic prophylactic measures due to the absence of vaccines and limitations of antiviral drug therapy. Ozone is an oxidating gas showing a strong microbicidal activity on bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. The present study assessed the in vitro virucidal and antiviral activity of ozone against caprine herpesvirus type 1 (CpHV-1). The virucidal activity of a gaseous mixture containing O₃ at 20 and 50 μg/mL was assessed against the virus at different contact times (30 s, 60 s, 90 s, 120 s, 180 s, and 300 s). Antiviral activity of a gaseous mixture containing O₃ at 20 and 50 μg/mL was evaluated against the virus after 30 s and 60 s. Ozone displayed significant virucidal activity when used at all the tested concentrations whilst significant antiviral activity was observed using ozone at 50 μg/mL. The gaseous mixture, tested in the present study, showed virucidal and antiviral activity against CpHV-1 in a dose- and time contact-dependent fashion. Ozone therapy could be evaluated in vivo for the treatment of CpHV-1-induced genital lesions in goats using topical applications.