Aplicação de protocolo terapêutico com óleos essenciais para a mitigação da mastite subclínica

Abstract

Subclinical mastitis significantly impacts the milk production chain, causing losses due to inflammation of the mammary gland, which requires specific test for detection. Conventional treatment is often used empirically and subtherapeutically, resulting in pathogen resistance. Thus, the search for alternative treatments is required, and essential oils present themselves as a promising possibility. Therefore, the objective of this research was to verify the efficiency of using a protocol containing essential oils in the control of subclinical mastitis. The experiment was conducted on the property of Mr. Alceu Gross, located in Volta Grande Line in São Jorge D’Oeste – Paraná, where 42 lactating cows of the Holstein and Jersey breeds were used, which were divided homogeneously into three lots, based on the animals Days in Lactation (DIL) and Somatic Cell Count (SCC). Group 1 received no treatment and served as the control group. Group 2 received a tube containing essential oils, which was applied only to the mammary quarters that tested positive in the California Mastitis Tests (CMT), in the first collection, once a day for five days. Lot 3 received the tube protocol containing essential oils and a product supplied in the trough to boost the animals immunity, at a rate of 50 g per day, for sixty days. The tube and the product supplied in the trough are not commercially available and show promise for mitigating subclinical mastitis and boosting the animals immunity and productivity. Their use does not alter the chemical composition of the milk, allowing it to be marketed. Analyses of CMT, SCC, milk composition, daily production, and milk microbiology were performed. The analyses and measures were performed on days 1, 30 and 90 of the study. The samples were identified and analyzed in the HE dairy laboratory. The results indicate that the use of essential oils contributed to a reduction in SCC, an increase in the frequency of healthy glands, and maintenance of milk production. Treatment with intramammary tubes was effective in reducing SCC and increasing the CMT grade 1 score. The protocol with intramammary tube combined with supplementation promoted greater production stability, reduced SCC, and increased the frequency of healthy mammary quarters. The pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and non-aureus and Bacillus spp. were the most prevalent. The protocols tested, containing essential oils, proved effective in mitigating subclinical mastitis, improving SCC indices, increasing healthy mammary quarters, and maintaining animal productivity.