Efficacy of Panax ginseng extract combined with cephalexin as a dry cow therapy

BECCARIA C; BARAVALLE C; SILVESTRINI P; RENNA MS; MOLINERI AI; SIGNORINI M ; NEDER V ; SUAREZ ARCHILLA GA; CALVINHO LF; DALLARD BE

Journal of Dairy Research

CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS

Lugar: Cambridge; Año: 2021 vol. 88 p. 64 - 68

0022-0299

Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of intramammary administration, at drying-off, of a Panax ginseng extract (PGe) combined with cephalexin (Ceph) on the post-calving bacteriological cure rate of pre-existing intramammary infections (IMI) and on the occurrence of new IMI during the dry period. In addition, milk yield and somatic cell count (SCC) in the post-treatment lactation were evaluated. One hundred and eight late-lactation cows were randomly divided into two experimental groups and were treated at drying-off with Ceph alone or PGe combined with Ceph. Cure rates for IMI present at drying-off were similar for both treatments (OR=0.95, 95% CI=0.33-2.74). Cure rates for Staphylococcus aureus were lower (OR=15.4, 95% CI=1.66-142.52) in quarters treated with PGe + Ceph than in those treated with Ceph alone. Intramammary infusion of PGe + Ceph at drying-off had no effect on preventing new dry period IMI (OR=0.75, 95% CI=0.38-1.51), compared with infusion of Ceph alone. Milk production and SCC in the ensuing lactation were not affected by PGe + Ceph treatment. In conclusion, addition of PGe to dry cow therapy did not show any advantage over the use of dry cow therapy alone.