A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF INACTIVATED POLYVALENT MASTITIS VACCINES ON MILK QUANTITY AND QUALITY IN DAIRY BUFFALOES

Four different formalin-inactivated polyvalent mastitis vaccines viz. plain (FPPV), dextran sulphate (DXS) adjuvanted (FDPV), aluminium hydroxide adjuvanted (FAPV) and DXS + aluminium hydroxide adjuvanted (FDAPV) containing Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae and Escherichia coli were evaluated for 6 months in 100 lactating dairy buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) on the basis of their effect on milk quality and quantity. Mean somatic cell count in vaccinated buffaloes was significantly (P<0.01) lower than that of the control group. Using a linear somatic cell scoring method, a significantly (P<0.01) higher milk loss (897 L) was observed in control buffaloes as compared to those of vaccinated buffaloes. Buffaloes vaccinated with adjuvanted vaccines (FDPV, FAPV and FDAPV) had a significantly higher (P