Evaluation of Body and Udder Temperatures and Mammary Gland Health Status Throughout Lactation in Manchega Dairy Sheep

TL;DR

This study explores how body and udder temperatures in Manchega sheep change with lactation and mammary gland health, offering insights into animal health monitoring.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into the relationship between udder temperature and mammary gland health in Manchega sheep.

Findings

Rectal temperature remained stable despite environmental changes, while surface temperature varied.

Udder surface temperature was lower in glands with high somatic cell counts, indicating possible inflammation.

No correlation was found between body surface and rectal temperatures in the studied sheep.

Abstract

This study examined how surface and rectal temperatures in Manchega sheep respond to environmental changes and infection indicators. Surface temperature varied with external weather conditions, while rectal temperature remained stable, suggesting sheep can adjust their physiological response to mild climatic variations without compromising core body temperature. The temperature of the udder varied according to the udder health status. This research helps improve animal health monitoring, which can lead to better disease management in livestock, improving animal welfare and productivity.

In Manchega sheep, correlations between temperatures across various body regions, including the udder, under differing environmental conditions, stages of lactation, and states of mammary gland health have not been extensively explored. To address this, a group of 108 Manchega sheep was evaluated monthly over a period of six months. Ambient, rectal, lacrimal, perianal, and udder surface temperatures, alongside mammary gland health status indicators such as somatic cell count (SCC) and microbiological milk culture, were recorded. This study investigated the correlations between these temperature measurements and SCC levels. Mammary glands were classified based on their SCC (greater or lesser than 400,000 cells/mL) and the results of the microbiological cultures (more or less than five colonies in 20 µL of milk). This study found no correlation between body surface temperatures and rectal temperatures. SCC showed a low negative correlation with udder surface temperatures. Notably, mammary glands with SCC levels exceeding 400,000 cells/mL exhibited lower udder surface temperatures. This research underscores the Manchega breed’s ability to adapt to varying ambient temperatures and the necessity for further studies to better elucidate the relationship between inflammation and temperature changes in the udder during intramammary infections.

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