Influence of environmental factors on bovine mammary bacterial communities and mammary inflammation
Loading...
Date
2017
Authors
Fehr, Kelsey
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Bovine milk and teat-apex bacterial communities are thought to contribute to mammary health. However, milk and teat-apex bacterial communities likely also differ in bacterial diversity and composition among farm-systems and between seasons, along with differing environmental bacterial communities. To find evidence supporting these notions, the bacterial-profile of milk, teat-apices, used-bedding and feces were assessed on three dairy farms using different bedding [Straw (ST), Sand (SA), and Recycled bedding material (RBM)], and also during summer and winter time-points for farm ST. Differences in between-sample bacterial diversity were identified among farms, and between both time-points for farm ST, for all sample-types (P(PERMANOVA)≤0.0002). Consistently among farms, a major source of milk microbiota was the teat-apex. Further, four OTUs on the teat-apex were associated with reduced mammary inflammation, and two within milk (P(FDR)<0.05). Overall, this research demonstrates farm and seasonal differences as substantial drivers in milk and teat-apex bacterial diversity and composition.
Description
Keywords
Dairy, Udder, Mammary, Microbiome, Environment, Microbiota, Mastitis