Effect of novel teat dips on milk biochemical parameters in dairy cattle

Abstract

The study was conducted on bovine mastitis with an objective to prevent its occurrence. The attempt was envisaged through use of copper sulphate and zinc sulphate, used as post milking teat dips and were selected after evaluating their antimicrobial potential against major mastitis causing bacteria in vitro using agar well diffusion method. Different concentrations of these compounds in distilled water were prepared (10%, 7.5%, 5% and 2.5%). Invitro cytotoxicity studies were also carried out using these concentrations. The invitro antimicrobial and cytotoxicity studies revealed 2.5% solution of copper sulphate and zinc sulphate to be most effective in terms of preventing bacterial growth and being safe. For the prophylactic study 40 healthy cows, maintained under similar management and found negative for mastitis through CMT, pH, EC, SCC and culture of milk samples were included in the study. Cows were randomly divided into 4 groups, viz., group I, group II, group III and group IV with ten cows in each. Group I, served as control, in which no teat dip was used. In group II animals conventional teat dip (0.5% Povidone Iodine) was used. In group III and group IV Copper Sulphate (2.5% aqueous solution) and Zinc Sulphate (2.5% aqueous solution) teat dips were used respectively. Post-milking teat dipping was done twice a day for a period of two months. Milk samples were collected aseptically from all the quarters on Day 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 to see the effect of post-milking teat dipping with copper sulphate and zinc sulphate on biochemical properties of milk (Fat, SNF, Protein and lactose)and compare them with povidone iodine and control groups. The biochemical properties of milk did not change using copper sulphate and zinc sulphateas post milking teat dips. It is concluded that the use of 2.5% each of copper sulphate and zinc sulphate solutions as post-milking teat dips can prove beneficial in prophylaxis of bovine mastitis.