Research
Metabolic and infectious diseases. Dairy cows undergo a period of nutrient deficit as they transition from late gestation to early lactation. Failing to successfully adapt to the physiological challenges of this period of the lactation cycle is associated with the occurrence of clinical and sub-clinical disease, decreased milk production, impaired reproductive performance and increased likelihood of herd removal. Among all the metabolic and infectious diseases of the transition dairy cow, we have special interest in hyperketonemia, hypocalcemia, metritis, and mastitis.
Immune response and immunotherapeutics. The immune response is decreased during the transition period because of hormonal changes and the nutrient deficit of this period. This impaired immune response is one of the pathways explaining the association between the transition period and the increased prevalence of infectious diseases in early lactation. A new area of interest of our research group is the utilization of immunotherapeutics as an alternative to antibiotics in the treatment of infectious diseases in dairy cattle. With this effort we hope to have evidence-based information support these alternative treatments and contribute to the judicious use of antibiotics in animal agriculture.
Dairy systems biology. Systems biology is a holistic approach aimed to understand the networks that form the complex biological systems of living animals in contrast to the reductionism traditionally used by researchers. With our network of collaborators who specialized in basic sciences we use state-of-the-art technology and techniques to investigate applied dairy production medicine questions related to dairy systems biology. Our main goal is to investigate and understand how our interventions and managements are affecting animal’s health and performance as a whole. More importantly, translating the complex information generated by advanced technology into applicable information for the final user (i.e., producer, veterinary practitioner, consumer, etc) is of utmost importance to our team.
Collaborators
Chi Chen (University of Minnesota)
Gerard Cramer (University of Minnesota)
Brian Crooker (University of Minnesota)
Steven Dow (Colorado State University)
Marcia Endres (University of Minnesota)
Julio Giordano (Cornell University)
Sandra Godden (University of Minnesota)
Joleen Hadrich (University of Minnesota)
Whitney Knauer (University of Minnesota)
Peter Larsen (University of Minnesota)
Francisco Leal-Yepes (Washington State University)
Vinicius Machado (Texas Tech University)
Noelle Noyes (University of Minnesota)
Pablo Pinedo (Colorado State University)
Samuel Rowe (The University of Sydney - AUS)
Mark Thomas (Dairy Health Management Services)
Current Projects
The use of mucosal immunotherapeutics as an alternative to antimicrobials for the dairy industry
Mastitis is a highly prevalent disease in the dairy industry and the main reason for the use of antimicrobials in US dairy farms. There is increasing pressure on the industry to reduce antimicrobial usage, and immunotherapeutics have emerged as an alternative to antimicrobials for the prevention and control of mastitis. In this research project we intend to investigate the effect of a mucosal immunotherapeutics on mastitis and the immunology of the mammary gland in dairy cows. This project will focus on the immunological adaptations of the mammary gland during the non-lactating period and alternatives to increase the resistance of the mammary gland to bacterial infection.
Implementation of optimal decisions to prevent, diagnose and mitigate the effects of hyperketonemia
In recent years hyperketonemia has emerged as one of the main metabolic disorders observed in dairy cattle. For dairy producers, the prevention, diagnosis, and mitigation of the disease has represented an increasing challenge. In this research topic, we intend to provide guidelines to implement optimal decisions to prevent and diagnose the occurrence of hyperketonemia, and to mitigate its negative effects on health and productivity. At the prevention level, we focus on the energy dynamics and proper adaptation to the transition period. At the diagnosis level, we center on the identification of cows at a higher risk to develop negative outcomes. Finally, at the mitigation level, we intend to evaluate treatment strategies to improve resources allocation. By working comprehensively to solve this challenge we expect to bring applicable and relevant solutions to the dairy industry.
Funding
We are grateful to the following organizations for their generous support of our research:
