Effect of temporary cessation of milking and estradiol combination on the antimicrobial components in goat milk

A temporary cessation of milking is widely used in Japan to treat mastitis in dairy cows. Exogenous administration
of estradiol (E2) is known to inhibit milk production in dairy cows. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the
effects of the temporary cessation of milking in combination with E2 administration on the antimicrobial
components of goat milk. Twelve goats, divided into two groups—with and without E2 injection (E2 and control
group, respectively), were subjected to cessation of milking in both udder halves for 3 d (day 0–2). Milk yield in
the E2 group was significantly lower than that in the control group on days 7 to 10. The concentrations of
cathelicidin-2, IgA, and lactoferrin in the E2 group were significantly higher than those in the control group.
These results suggest that the temporary cessation of milking with simultaneous E2 administration leads to a
higher concentration of certain antimicrobial components in milk than that observed after using cessation of
milking alone. Thus, this combination may contribute to a stronger innate immune system and a faster recovery
from mastitis, and might prove to be an alternative to antibiotic treatment upon further research