Effect of methionyl bovine somatotropin in a prolonged-release vehicle on milk production, hormone profiles and health in dairy cows

Abstract

Milk production of dairy cows in 14 herds was increased by 3 -8-32'l % by the administration of recombinant methionyl bovine somatotropin (bST) in a sustained-release vehicle at 14 d intervals at 40-94 d post partum. A greater response in multiparous than in primiparous cows was found in cows turned out to graze spring pasture. Administration of recombinant bST resulted in elevated plasma bST during the first 9 d after injection. Clinical characteristics such as respiration, heart rate and body temperature were unaffected by bST treatment, as were blood erythrocyte and leucocyte counts, haemoglobin concentrations and haematocrit values. Plasma levels of glucose, free fatty acids, urea and P, and serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were not affected by bST treatment, and acetone was not detected. No adverse effects of bST on general health, infection status of mammary glands, mastitis incidence and reproduction were found.Recombinant DNA technology has opened the way for the production of large quantities of polypeptides. As the use of recombinant bovine somatotropin (bST) could have an important impact on dairying, research on bST efficacy and safety in experimental and commercial dairy herds has been stimulated in many countries, including Czechoslovakia, where a high proportion of cows are in large state or cooperative farms. Diets for cows are based mainly on roughage and moderate amounts of concentrates, and herd management practices are often poor. A major current research interest is whether use of bST can significantly improve milk production under the conditions on Czech commercial dairy farms.The objective of the present investigation was to examine the effects of recombinant bST in a sustained-release vehicle on lactational performance, general health and mastitis incidence in dairy cows kept under different conditions in different parts of Czechoslovakia.

Effect of Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin (Boostin-250) on Blood Metabolites and Milk Yield of Lactating Buffaloes

“…Plasma glucose level (mg/dl) in buffaloes during different fortnights suggested that there was no significant effect of treatment and period on glucose concentration due to rbST injection. The present finding is similar to earlier reports of Skarda et al (1992) and Abas and Ozpiner (2001). No change in the blood glucose level observed in this study may be suggestive of the fact that the injected dose of rbST does not have any influence on gluconeogenesis as have been observed by Fullerton (1989).…”

“…Concomitant to the findings of the present study, Bauman et al (1985), Burton et al (1991), Lean et al (1992) and Skarda et al (1992) reported higher milk production due to rbST injection. Bauman et al (1985) recorded 23-41% higher milk yield in the rbST injected dairy cows as compared to that of non injected group.…”

Effects of Cooling and Exogenous Bovine Somatotropin on Hematological and Biochemical Parameters at Different Stages of Lactation of Crossbred Holstein Friesian Cow in the Tropics

“…A number of studies have noted the effect of bST on bovine health in terms of risk of clinical mastitis, reduction in fertility and risk of developing clinical signs of lameness (Dohoo et al, 2003). The adverse effects of exogenous bST have also been reported in other animal species (Skarda et al, 1992). The changes in relative mass of many organs and tissue growth following bST administration have also been reported (Moallem et al, 2004), which may reflect changes in bodily functions.…”