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Advances in Mammary Gland Biology and Lactation of Ruminants
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Advances in Mammary Gland Biology and Lactation of Ruminants

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Small Ruminants".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (14 April 2024) | Viewed by 7323

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Sam Peterson

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
Interests: sheep dairy; lactation in sheep; developmental programming; fetal development; mastitis in sheep and beef cattle
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Apart from its milk-producing function, the mammary gland is a unique mammalian organ in two major ways. First, it is almost invariably sited outside of the body cavity, and second, it grows and regresses several times during the animal’s life. Being isolated from the body helps to protect the body from infections that are common in the mammary gland due to the suitability of the intramammary environment for microorganisms, and the gland has both local and systemic methods of protection to combat mastitis. Being isolated also facilitates the growth and regression of the gland by separating the many growth factors that are involved from other body organs (where they might cause chaos). Add to these functions the mechanism by which the gland produces colostrum to provide offspring with immunological competence as well as with milk, both of which are produced in amounts and compositions that are appropriate for the species and the offspring. This surely indicates that the mammary gland is one of the most complicated and fascinating organs.

It has been five years since Michael Akers wrote the 100-year review on mammary development and lactation, in which he pointed out that despite great advances in knowledge, the fundamental questions regarding mammary development and lactation have changed little. The more we discover, the more questions are raised, and this has resulted in many groups studying a wide variety of lactation-related topics. If we also consider the many different types of dairy animals and production systems being studied, there is a huge amount of research happening in relation to mammary biology. Thus, the plan for this Special Issue is to highlight research in mammary biology and lactation in ruminants.

Dr. Sam Peterson
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • mammary biology
  • mammogenesis
  • lactogenesis
  • galactopoiesis
  • mastitis
  • mammary histopathology
  • endocrine signals
  • epigenetic effects
  • lactational physiology
  • milk removal
  • colostrum
  • somatic cells
  • milk conductivity
  • mammary metabolism

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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9 pages, 244 KiB  
Article
Interleukin-6 as a Milk Marker of Clinical and Subclinical Intramammary Infections (IMI) in Cows Caused by Streptococcus spp.
by Mariola Bochniarz, Monika Ziomek, Marek Szczubiał, Roman Dąbrowski, Marco Wochnik, Łukasz Kurek, Urszula Kosior-Korzecka and Aneta Nowakiewicz
Animals 2024, 14(7), 1100; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14071100 - 4 Apr 2024
Viewed by 498
Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the concentrations of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in milk and serum of healthy cows (HE) and cows with mastitis caused by Streptococcus spp. The blood and milk samples were obtained from Holstein-Friesian cows (Lublin region, Poland). A [...] Read more.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the concentrations of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in milk and serum of healthy cows (HE) and cows with mastitis caused by Streptococcus spp. The blood and milk samples were obtained from Holstein-Friesian cows (Lublin region, Poland). A total of 43 milk and serum samples from 28 cows with mastitis and 15 healthy cows were selected for study. IL-6 levels in milk from HE cows ranged from 6.09–80.24 pg/mL (median 26.6 pg/mL) and were significantly lower than in milk from both cows with clinical and subclinical mastitis (487.09 pg/mL vs. 26.6 pg/mL in CM, p < 0.001; and 165.31 pg/mL vs. 26.6 pg/mL in SCM, p < 0.001). The IL-6 concentration in the serum of HE was not significantly different from the serum IL-6 of the entire group of mastitis cows, regardless of whether the inflammation proceeded in a clinical or subclinical form (44.37 pg/mL vs. 78.09 pg/mL; 128.29 pg/mL vs. 78.09 pg/mL, respectively). The present study indicates that cows with mastitis caused by Streptococcus spp. develop a local immune response in the mammary gland in response to the pathogen. Monitoring of IL-6 levels in milk can allow early detection of mastitis, which is especially important in cases of subclinical inflammation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mammary Gland Biology and Lactation of Ruminants)
9 pages, 720 KiB  
Article
A First Investigation into the Use of Differential Somatic Cell Count as a Predictor of Udder Health in Sheep
by Marco Tolone, Salvatore Mastrangelo, Maria Luisa Scatassa, Maria Teresa Sardina, Silvia Riggio, Angelo Moscarelli, Anna Maria Sutera, Baldassare Portolano and Riccardo Negrini
Animals 2023, 13(24), 3806; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13243806 - 10 Dec 2023
Viewed by 869
Abstract
Differential somatic cell count (DSCC), the percentage of somatic cell count (SCC) due to polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and lymphocytes (LYMs), is a promising effective diagnostic marker for dairy animals with infected mammary glands. Well-explored in dairy cows, DSCC is also potentially valid in [...] Read more.
Differential somatic cell count (DSCC), the percentage of somatic cell count (SCC) due to polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and lymphocytes (LYMs), is a promising effective diagnostic marker for dairy animals with infected mammary glands. Well-explored in dairy cows, DSCC is also potentially valid in sheep, where clinical and subclinical mastitis outbreaks are among the principal causes of culling. We pioneered the application of DSCC in dairy ewes by applying receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to define the most accurate thresholds to facilitate early discrimination of sheep with potential intramammary infection (IMI) from healthy animals. We tested four predefined SCC cut-offs established in previous research. Specifically, we applied SCC cut-offs of 265 × 103 cells/mL, 500 × 103 cells/mL, 645 × 103 cells/mL, and 1000 × 103 cells/mL. The performance of DSCC as a diagnostic test was assessed by examining sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and area under curve (AUC) analyses. The designated threshold value for DSCC in the detection of subclinical mastitis is established at 79.8%. This threshold exhibits Se and Sp of 0.84 and 0.81, accompanied by an AUC of 0.88. This study represents the inaugural exploration of the potential use of DSCC in sheep’s milk as an early indicator of udder inflammation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mammary Gland Biology and Lactation of Ruminants)
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23 pages, 1643 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Changes in Udder Half Defects over Time in Non-Dairy Ewes
by Mandefrot M. Zeleke, Kate J. Flay, Paul R. Kenyon, Danielle Aberdein, Sarah J. Pain and Anne L. Ridler
Animals 2023, 13(5), 784; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13050784 - 21 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1241
Abstract
A total of 1039 non-dairy breed (Romney) ewes were enrolled in two studies to assess the changes in udder half defect status (hard, lump, or normal) over time and to predict the risk of future udder half defect occurrence. In the first study [...] Read more.
A total of 1039 non-dairy breed (Romney) ewes were enrolled in two studies to assess the changes in udder half defect status (hard, lump, or normal) over time and to predict the risk of future udder half defect occurrence. In the first study (study A), udder halves of 991 ewes were assessed utilizing a standardized udder palpation method and scored four times a year, for two successive years (pre-mating, pre-lambing, docking, and weaning). The second study (study B) assessed the udder halves at pre-mating, and at six weekly intervals in the first six weeks of lactation in 46 ewes that had defective and normal udder halves. Udder half defect change over time was visualized via lasagna plots, and multinomial logistic regression was used to predict the risk or probability of udder half defect occurrence. In the first study, the highest occurrence of udder halves categorised as hard was observed at either pre-mating or docking. Udder halves categorised as lump had their highest occurrence at either docking or weaning. Udder halves detected with a defect (hard or lump) at pre-mating were more likely (RRR: 6.8 to 1444) to be defective (hard or lump) at future examinations (pre-lambing, docking, or weaning) within the same year or pre-mating the following year, compared to udder halves categorised as normal. In the second study, the change of udder half defect type over the first six weeks of lactation was variable. However, it was observed that the udder half defects, particularly udder halves categorised as hard, decreased during lactation. Failure to express milk in udder halves in early lactation was associated with a higher occurrence and persistency of udder half defects. In conclusion, the occurrence of diffuse hardness or lumps in an udder half changed over time, and the risk of future occurrence of a defect was higher in udder halves previously categorised as either hard or lump. Hence, it is recommended that farmers identify and cull ewes with udder halves categorised as hard and lump. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mammary Gland Biology and Lactation of Ruminants)
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16 pages, 3502 KiB  
Article
Effects of Intramammary Antimicrobial Treatment on the Milk Microbiota Composition in Mild Clinical Bovine Mastitis Caused by Gram-Positive Bacteria
by Mayu Hayashi, Yasunori Shinozuka, Tomomi Kurumisawa, Takuya Yagisawa, Nagomu Suenaga, Yuko Shimizu, Naoki Suzuki and Kazuhiro Kawai
Animals 2023, 13(4), 713; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040713 - 17 Feb 2023
Viewed by 1286
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of antimicrobial treatment for mild mastitis caused by Gram-positive bacteria on the milk microbiota in dairy cattle. Sixteen quarters of sixteen cows with mild clinical mastitis from the same herd were included in [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of antimicrobial treatment for mild mastitis caused by Gram-positive bacteria on the milk microbiota in dairy cattle. Sixteen quarters of sixteen cows with mild clinical mastitis from the same herd were included in the study. On the day of onset (day 0), the cows were randomly allocated to a no-treatment (NT; n = 10) group or an intramammary antimicrobial treatment (AMT) group that received AMT starting on day 0 (AMT-AMT group; n = 6). The next day (day 1), the cows in the NT group were randomly allocated into an NT group (NT-NT group; n = 3) that received no treatment or an AMT group that received AMT starting on day 1 (NT-AMT group; n = 7). Milk samples were collected on days 0, 1, 3 and 7, and the milk microbiota of each sample was comprehensively analyzed via 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of the milk DNA. During the treatment period, the milk microbiota of the NT-NT group did not change, but those of the NT-AMT and AMT-AMT groups changed significantly on days three and seven. Thus, the use of antimicrobials for mild mastitis caused by Gram-positive bacteria changes the milk microbiota composition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mammary Gland Biology and Lactation of Ruminants)
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Review

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21 pages, 509 KiB  
Review
Using QTL to Identify Genes and Pathways Underlying the Regulation and Production of Milk Components in Cattle
by Thomas John Lopdell
Animals 2023, 13(5), 911; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13050911 - 2 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1495
Abstract
Milk is a complex liquid, and the concentrations of many of its components are under genetic control. Many genes and pathways are known to regulate milk composition, and the purpose of this review is to highlight how the discoveries of quantitative trait loci [...] Read more.
Milk is a complex liquid, and the concentrations of many of its components are under genetic control. Many genes and pathways are known to regulate milk composition, and the purpose of this review is to highlight how the discoveries of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for milk phenotypes can elucidate these pathways. The main body of this review focuses primarily on QTL discovered in cattle (Bos taurus) as a model species for the biology of lactation, and there are occasional references to sheep genetics. The following section describes a range of techniques that can be used to help identify the causative genes underlying QTL when the underlying mechanism involves the regulation of gene expression. As genotype and phenotype databases continue to grow and diversify, new QTL will continue to be discovered, and although proving the causality of underlying genes and variants remains difficult, these new data sets will further enhance our understanding of the biology of lactation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mammary Gland Biology and Lactation of Ruminants)
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Other

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10 pages, 1095 KiB  
Brief Report
Use of a Visual Scoring System to Assess External Udder Conformation and Its Relationship to Colostrum Quality and Lamb Growth Rates
by Haley Richardson, Amin Ahmadzadeh and Denise Konetchy
Animals 2023, 13(18), 2900; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13182900 - 13 Sep 2023
Viewed by 951
Abstract
In sheep raised for meat production, the relationship between external udder conformation, colostrum quality, and lamb growth rates has not received much attention. We hypothesized that ewes with a more desirable udder conformation at lambing would have greater colostrum quality and greater growth [...] Read more.
In sheep raised for meat production, the relationship between external udder conformation, colostrum quality, and lamb growth rates has not received much attention. We hypothesized that ewes with a more desirable udder conformation at lambing would have greater colostrum quality and greater growth rates in lambs. Fifty Suffolk ewes were used in this study. Within 6–8 h of parturition, colostrum samples from both halves of the udder were collected and visual scoring of the udder was conducted. Colostrum quality was measured for total proteins using both optical and Brix refractometers. On day 2, day 45, and day 60 after parturition, lamb weights were recorded, and udder conformation measurements were repeated. A visual scoring system evaluating udder floor (scale 1–4), udder depth (scale 1–9), teat placement (scale 1–9), teat/mammary lesions (present or absent), and the presence of wool (present or absent) was used to assess the external udder conformation. Normal udder parameters included udder depth scores of 5 or 6; udder floor scores of 1 or 2; teat placement scores of 4, 5, or 6; and the absence of teat/mammary lesions and wool. All ewes not meeting normal parameters were considered to have an abnormal udder. The data were analyzed using the GLM procedure. Mean total colostrum protein was greater (p = 0.03) in ewes displaying a ‘normal’ udder conformation compared with those with an ‘abnormal’ conformation (14.82 ± 0.5 and 13.31 ± 0.3 mg/dL, respectively). Mean Brix values were also greater (p = 0.03) for ewes with a ‘normal’ udder compared to an abnormal udder confirmation (21.70 ± 0.8 and 19.54 ± 0.5, respectively). On day 2 after parturition, the mean lamb body weight was not different between ewes with ‘normal’ and abnormal udders (5.38 ± 0.26 vs. 5.46 ± 0.15). No differences (p > 0.05) in lamb weights were detected between ewes with normal and abnormal udder conformations on day 45 and 60 after parturition. These data provide evidence of greater colostrum total protein values and greater Brix values present in ewes with a ‘normal’ udder conformation. There were no differences in the weights of lambs born to ewes with normal or abnormal udder conformations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mammary Gland Biology and Lactation of Ruminants)
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