B-mode and colour Doppler sonographic examination of the milk vein and musculophrenic vein in dry cows and cows with a milk yield of 10 and 20 kg

Abstract

BackgroundThis study investigated the effect of milk yield on blood flow variables in the milk vein and musculophrenic vein in dairy cows.MethodsFive healthy dry cows, five cows with a daily milk yield of 10 kg and five others with a daily milk yield of 20 kg underwent B-mode and colour Doppler sonographic examination. The diameter of the veins, blood flow velocities and blood flow volumes were measured on both sides in standing, non-sedated cows using a 7.5 MHz linear transducer.ResultsLactating cows had significantly higher blood flow velocities in the milk vein than dry cows; the maximum blood flow velocity of dry cows and those with a daily milk yield of 10 and 20 kg were 14.04, 38.77 and 39.49 cm/s, respectively, the minimum velocities were 0.63, 3.02 and 2.64 cm/s, respectively, and the mean maximum velocities were 8.21, 26.67 und 28.22 cm/s, respectively. Cows producing 20 kg of milk a day had a blood flow volume of 3.09 l/min, which was significantly higher than 0.79 l/min recorded in dry cows. Lactating cows had significantly higher mean maximum blood flow velocities in the musculophrenic vein than dry cows. Blood flow variables of both veins did not differ significantly between the left and right side.ConclusionThis study showed that milk yield has a profound effect on blood flow variables in the milk vein and to a lesser extent the musculophrenic vein. This must be taken into consideration in future Doppler sonographic studies of these veins and possibly other vessels. Furthermore, measurements on one side are representative of both sides.

Relationship between pulsed wave Doppler ultrasonographic features of milk veins and CMT scores in Simmental cows

“…Inflammatory changes and metabolic activities in udders are predicted to increase udder blood flow (3,12,13,15). In a transrectal color-Doppler ultrasonographic study investigating blood flow in the pudendoepigastric trunk in experimentally induced Escherichia coli mastitis in cows (14), blood-flow volumes were reported to increase parallel to somatic cell count, demonstrating that transrectal color-Doppler ultrasonography could be used for the early detection of pathological changes in blood flow in early stages of acute mastitis.…”

Supplementation of distiller's grains during late gestation in beef cows consuming low‐quality forage decreases uterine, but not mammary, blood flow

“…There is limited information on the use of how gestational diets impact mammary gland BF during late gestation. Most of the research utilising Doppler ultrasonography has been directed towards responses of mammary gland BF to phase of lactation (Kensinger et al., ; Nielsen et al., ), variability in milk production (Götze et al., ), mammary gland infection (Potapow et al., ) and milk vein hemodynamics (Braun and Hoegger, ; Braun and Forster, ) . In both experiments, supplementation did not influence BF to the mammary gland throughout late gestation or between the two sides of the cow.…”

Correlation between the milk vein internal diameter surface andmilk yield in Simmental cows

“…This is in concordance with the previous findings of Braun and Hoegger (17) and Huth (12), who measured the blood flow through the milk vein. As these measurements used color Doppler ultrasonography (17,18,24), to our knowledge this is the first report of the use of ultrasound to calculate the milk vein internal surface area as a prognostic criterion for predicting milk yield in cows. Our results are also supported by the previous reports of Davis and Collier (15), Kensinger et al (16), Braun and Hoegger (17), and Braun and Forster (18) with higher blood flow in lactating compared to nonlactating cows, and in high-producing compared to low-producing cows.…”

“…The mammary blood flow increases in proportion to the cardiac output (13) caused by the increase in the heart rate and the heart volume, and it represents the basic mechanism to meet the increased demand for blood supply during lactation (14). The amount of the blood supply is closely related to the level of milk production (15), with mammary blood flow in nonlactating cows being much lower in comparison to lactating cows, as well as in low-producing compared to high-producing cows (16)(17)(18).…”

“…Today, modern technologies could be applied: the milk vein in dairy cattle is suitable for ultrasonography due to its superficial position, size, recognizable shape, and easy access (17,18,21,22).…”