A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF INACTIVATED POLYVALENT MASTITIS VACCINES ON MILK QUANTITY AND QUALITY IN DAIRY BUFFALOES

M. ATHAR, G. MUHAMMAD, A. SHAKOOR, M. SAQIB, R. AHMAD¹ AND A. NAUREEN

Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad;¹Livestock Production Research Institute, Bhadur-Nagar, Okara, Pakistan

Abstract

        Four different formalin-inactivated polyvalent mastitis vaccines viz. plain (FPPV), dextran sulphate (DXS) adjuvanted (FDPV), aluminium hydroxide adjuvanted (FAPV) and DXS + aluminium hydroxide adjuvanted (FDAPV) containing Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae and Escherichia coli were evaluated for 6 months in 100 lactating dairy buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) on the basis of their effect on milk quality and quantity. Mean somatic cell count in vaccinated buffaloes was significantly (P<0.01) lower than that of the control group. Using a linear somatic cell scoring method, a significantly (P<0.01) higher milk loss (897 L) was observed in control buffaloes as compared to those of vaccinated buffaloes. Buffaloes vaccinated with adjuvanted vaccines (FDPV, FAPV and FDAPV) had a significantly higher (P<0.05) milk yield than those vaccinated either with plain vaccine or kept as unvaccinated control. A non-significant increase in concentrations of milk fat (P = 0.06) and protein (P = 0.08) contents was observed in vaccinated buffaloes.