Journals / Manas Journal of Agriculture Veterinary and Life Sciences / 2026 / Cilt: 16 Sayı: 1

Effect of Prepartum Iron Injection on Somatic Cell Count and Microbiological Profile of Ewe Milk: A Pilot Study

Koyunlarda Doğum Öncesi Demir Enjeksiyonunun Süt Somatik Hücre Sayısı ve Mikrobiyolojik Profil Üzerine Etkisi: Pilot Çalışma

Nevzat Saat(BALIKESİR ÜNİVERSİTESİ, VETERİNER FAKÜLTESİ, KLİNİK BİLİMLER BÖLÜMÜ, VETERİNERLİK DOĞUM VE JİNEKOLOJİ ANABİLİM DALI)0000-0002-8135-6142
Buse Öztürk(BALIKESIR UNIVERSITY)0000-0003-2405-3572
Ziya İlhan(BALIKESIR UNIVERSITY)0000-0003-3638-9196
Pages
22–30
Publication Date
2026-06-23
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

In conclusion, prepartum parenteral iron administration in ewes had no significant effect on SCC; it partially reduced E. coli and fungal isolates but had no effect on S. aureus.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Mastitis, defined as inflammation of the mammary tissue caused by various pathogenic microorganisms, leads to significant economic losses.
📊
Key Findings & Data:This study aimed to determine the effects of parenteral iron administration on day 130 of gestation in ewes on milk somatic cell count (SCC) and bacterial and fungal loads on postpartum days 5 and 30.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:In conclusion, prepartum parenteral iron administration in ewes had no significant effect on SCC; it partially reduced E. coli and fungal isolates but had no effect on S. aureus.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Demir · Mastitis · Mikrobiyolojik profil

Abstract

Mastitis, defined as inflammation of the mammary tissue caused by various pathogenic microorganisms, leads to significant economic losses. Iron, besides its numerous metabolic roles, can promote pathogen growth under in vitro and suitable in vivo conditions. However, iron bioavailability in the body is tightly regulated by the immune system and iron-binding proteins. This study aimed to determine the effects of parenteral iron administration on day 130 of gestation in ewes on milk somatic cell count (SCC) and bacterial and fungal loads on postpartum days 5 and 30. Twenty-two clinically healthy singleton pregnant Kıvırcık ewes were randomly assigned to an experimental (n=11, Fe³⁺) and a control group (n=11, 0.9% NaCl). Blood samples were collected at injection (day 130 of gestation), within 3 days postpartum, and on postpartum day 30; milk samples were obtained on postpartum days 5 and 30. Serum ferritin levels, milk SCC, and bacteriological analyses were performed using conventional methods. Pre-injection ferritin levels differed significantly between groups (P=0.022), representing a methodological limitation. A moderate positive correlation between serum ferritin and SCC was observed in the experimental group; however, no significant differences were found between groups. Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and fungal agents were isolated from milk samples. In conclusion, prepartum parenteral iron administration in ewes had no significant effect on SCC; it partially reduced E. coli and fungal isolates but had no effect on S. aureus. As a pilot study, these findings indicate the need for further research with larger sample sizes.

Özet

Çeşitli patojen mikroorganizmalar tarafından oluşturulan ve meme dokusunun yangısı olarak tanımlanan mastitis, önemli ekonomik kayıplara neden olmaktadır. Demir, birçok metabolik süreçte rol almanın yanında, in vitro ortamlarda ve uygun in vivo koşullarda patojen mikroorganizmaların üremesini destekleyen bir mineraldir. Ancak vücut içinde demir biyoyararlanımı bağışıklık sistemi ve demir bağlayıcı proteinler tarafından düzenlenmektedir. Bu çalışmada, koyunlarda gebeliğin 130. gününde uygulanan parenteral demirin, doğum sonrası 5. ve 30. günlerdeki süt somatik hücre sayısı (SHS) ile bakteri ve mantar sayıları üzerine etkilerinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmada klinik olarak sağlıklı görünen toplam 22 adet tekiz gebe Kıvırcık koyun kullanılmış ve hayvanlar rasgele deney (n: 11, Fe³⁺) ve kontrol (n: 11, %0.9 NaCl) gruplarına ayrılmıştır. Kan örnekleri enjeksiyon anında (gebeliğin 130. günü), doğum sonrası ilk üç gün içinde ve postpartum 30. günde; süt örnekleri ise doğum sonrası 5. ve postpartum 30. günlerde alınmıştır. Serum ferritin düzeyi, süt SHS sayısı ve bakteriyolojik analizler konvansiyonel yöntemlere göre yapılmıştır. Gruplar arasında enjeksiyon öncesi ferritin düzeylerinin anlamlı farklılık gösterdiği (P=0,022) ve bunun metodolojik bir kısıtlılık oluşturduğu değerlendirilmiştir. Deney grubunda serum ferritini ile SHS arasında orta düzeyde pozitif bir korelasyon saptanmış, ancak gruplar arası anlamlı bir etkinin olmadığı görülmüştür. Süt örneklerinden Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli ile mantar etkenleri izole edilmiştir. Sonuç olarak, koyunlara doğum öncesi uygulanan parenteral demirin SHS üzerinde anlamlı bir etkisi bulunmamış; E. coli ve mantar izolatlarında kısmi azalma sağlarken, S. aureus üzerine etkisi gözlenmemiştir. Bu pilot çalışma sonucunda daha fazla hayvanın kullanılacağı benzer çalışmalara ihtiyaç duyulduğu değerlendirilirmiştir.

🔖

Cite This Article

Saat, N., Öztürk, B., Erkan, A. A., Çetinkaya, Y. B., İlhan, Z. (2026). Effect of Prepartum Iron Injection on Somatic Cell Count and Microbiological Profile of Ewe Milk: A Pilot Study. Manas Journal of Agriculture Veterinary and Life Sciences, Cilt: 16 Sayı: 1, 22–30. https://doi.org/10.53518/mjavl.1919139

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (35)

  1. Abdalhamed, A. M., Zeedan, G. S. G., & Zeina, H. A. A. A. (2018). Isolation and identification of bacteria causing mastitis in small ruminants and their susceptibility to antibiotics, honey, essential oils, and plant extracts. Veterinary World, 11(3), 355–362. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2018.355-362
  2. Ahmed, Y. F., Ezzo, O. H., & Ahmed, S. M. (2020). Some udder problems associated with productivity in goats. Egyptian Journal of Veterinary Science, 51(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.21608/ejvs.2019.13869.1087
  3. Baydar, E., Aydogdu, U., Kaya, F., & Erol, M. (2026). Serum iron levels as a biomarker for monitoring fracture healing in dogs: A longitudinal study. Research in Veterinary Science, 198, 105993. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2025.105993
  4. Baydar, E., & Dabak, M. (2014). Serum iron as an indicator of acute inflammation in cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 97(1), 222–228. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2013-6939
  5. Chambers, G., Laven, R., Grinberg, A., Ridler, A., & Velathanthiri, N. (2024). An observational study of farmer-reported clinical mastitis in New Zealand dairy ewes. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 72(4), 212–224. https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2024.2344566
  6. Conington, J., Cao, G., Stott, A., & Bünger, L. (2008). Breeding for resistance to mastitis in United Kingdom sheep, a review and economic appraisal. Veterinary Record, 162(12), 369–376. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.162.12.369
  7. Cuccuru, C., Meloni, M., Sala, E., Scaccabarozzi, L., Locatelli, C., Moroni, P., & Bronzo, V. (2011). Effects of intramammary infections on somatic cell score and milk yield in Sarda sheep. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 59(3), 128–131. https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2011.562862
  8. Değirmençay, Ş., Kirbaş, A., Aydin, H., Aydin, Ö., Aktaş, M. S., & Kaman, R. (2022). Evaluation of serum iron and ferritin levels as inflammatory markers in calves with bovine respiratory disease complex. Acta Veterinaria, 72(1), 59–75. https://doi.org/10.2478/ACVE-2022-0005
  9. Deniz, Ö., Bozacı, S., Soytürk, B. I., Şimşek, A., Şafak, T., & Tümer, K. Ç. (2025). Iron metabolism and haematological changes in sheep during the periparturient period. Dicle Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, 18(1), 48–52. https://doi.org/10.47027/duvetfd.1667415
  10. Drakesmith, H., & Prentice, A. (2008). Viral infection and iron metabolism. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 6(7), 541–552. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro1930
  11. Fragkou, I. A., Boscos, C. M., & Fthenakis, G. C. (2014). Diagnosis of clinical or subclinical mastitis in ewes. Small Ruminant Research, 118(1–3), 86–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2013.12.015
  12. Gelasakis, A. I., Mavrogianni, V. S., Petridis, I. G., Vasileiou, N. G. C., & Fthenakis, G. C. (2015). Mastitis in sheep - The last 10 years and the future of research. Veterinary Microbiology, 181(1–2), 136–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.07.009
  13. Gennero, L., Roos, M. A., D’Amelio, P., Denysenko, T., Morra, E., Sperber, K., Ceroni, V., Panzone, M., Lesca, F., De Vivo, E., Grimaldi, A., Gabetti, M. L., Ponzetto, A., Pescarmona, G. P., & Pugliese, A. (2010). Iron metabolism markers and haptoglobin phenotypes in susceptibility to HSV‐1 or/and HSV‐2 lesion relapses. Cell Biochemistry and Function, 28(2), 142–148. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbf.1633
  14. Gonzalo, C., Carriedo, J. A., Gomez, J. D., Gomez, L. D., & San Primitivo, F. (1994). Diurnal variation in the somatic cell count of ewe milk. Journal of Dairy Science, 77(7), 1856–1859. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(94)77127-7
  15. İlhan, Z. (2015). Isolation of dermatophytes from cattle, sheep, goats and van cats in Van and its around. Van Veterinary Journal, 26(1), 1–5. http://vfdergi.yyu.edu.tr
  16. İlhan, Z. (2018). Mastitiste teşhis ve immünoprofilaksi. Türkiye Klinikleri, 1–6.
  17. Jesse, F., Bitrus, A., Peter, I., Chung, E., & Tukiran, N. (2023). Clinical and Subclinical Mastitis in Ruminants: A Review of Etiological agents, Diagnosis, Clinical Management and Risk factors. Journal of Research in Veterinary Sciences, 1(2), 51–65. https://doi.org/10.5455/JRVS.20230730103147
  18. Kent, S. (1994). The etiology of the anemia of chronic disease and infection. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 47(1), 23–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/0895-4356(94)90030-2
  19. Khaleghnia, N., Mohri, M., & Seifi, H. A. (2021). The effects of parenteral iron administration on thyroid hormones, hematology, oxidative stress characteristics, performance, and health in neonatal holstein calves. Biological Trace Element Research, 199, 1823–1832. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-020-02293-7/Published
  20. Kilinc, M. A., Risvanli, A., Safak, T., Yilmaz, O., Yuksel, B. F., & Seker, İ. (2022). The relationship of blood asprosin levels and biochemical parameters in pregnant cows. Türk Doğa ve Fen Dergisi, 11(4), 111–116. https://doi.org/10.46810/tdfd.1092040
  21. Koc, O. Y., Safak, T., Gulaydin, O., & Risvanli, A. (2026). Prevalence of bacterial species isolated from subclinical mastitis in ewes in Siirt Province. Fırat University Journal of Health Sciences (Veterinary), 40(1), 34–40. http://www.fusabil.org
  22. Králíčková, Š., Pokorná, M., Kuchtík, J., & Filipčík, R. (2013). Effect of parity and stage of lactation on milk yield, composition and quality of organic sheep milk. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 60(1), 71–78. https://doi.org/10.11118/actaun201260010071
  23. Larone, D. H. (2011). Medically Important Fungi: A Guide to Identification (5th edition). Press ASM.
  24. Marx, J. (2002). Iron and infection: Competition between host and microbes for a precious element. Best Practice & Research Clinical Haematology, 15(2), 411–426. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1521-6926(02)90001-0
  25. Menzies, P. I., & Ramanoon, S. Z. (2001). Mastitis of sheep and goats. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 17(2), 333–358. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-0720(15)30032-3
  26. Mohri, M., Poorsina, S., & Sedaghat, R. (2010). Effects of parenteral supply of Iron on RBC parameters, performance, and health in neonatal dairy calves. Biological Trace Element Research, 136(1), 33–39. https://doi.org/10.1007/S12011-009-8514-7/TABLES/4
  27. Newton, J. R., Wood, J. L. N., & Chanter, N. (2007). Evidence for transferrin allele as a host‐level risk factor in naturally occurring equine respiratory disease: a preliminary study. Equine Veterinary Journal, 39(2), 164–171. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516407X166954
  28. Olechnowicz, J., Sobek, Z., Jaskowski, J. M., Antosik, P., & Bukowska, D. (2010). Connection of somatic cell count and milk yield as well as composition in dairy ewes. Archives Animal Breeding, 53(1), 95–100. https://doi.org/10.5194/AAB-53-95-2010
  29. Orino, K., Watanabe, S., Ohtsuka, H., Kohiruimaki, M., & Watanabe, K. (2006). Technical note: Measurement of ferritin in bovine milk and its clinical significance. Journal of Dairy Science, 89(10), 3842–3845. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(06)72426-2
  30. Quinn, P. J., Markey, B. K., Leonard, F. C., Fitzpatrick, E. S., Fanning, S., & Hartigan, P. J. (2011). Veterinary Microbiology and Microbial Disease 2nd ed. (2nd edition). Wiley-Blackwell.
  31. Romano, J. E., & Christians, C. J. (2008). Early pregnancy diagnosis by transrectal ultrasonography in ewes. Small Ruminant Research, 77(1), 51–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2008.02.004
  32. Saat, N., & Ayalp Erkan, A. (2023). Koyunlarda Mastitis ve Kan Demir Düzeyi. In A. Bilgili & B. Hanedan (Eds.), Veteriner Hekimlik Bilimlerinde Güncel Tartışmalar 3 (1st ed., Vol. 1, pp. 20–36). Bidge Yayınları. https://www.bidgeyayinlari.com.tr/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Veteriner-Hekimlik-Bilimlerinde-Guncel-Tartismalar-3-1.pdf
  33. Saat, N., Tavşanlı, H., & İlhan, Z. (2021). Klinik olarak sağlıklı görünen keçilerden alınan sütlerin somatik hücre sayısı ve bakteriyolojik yönden incelenmesi. Kocatepe Veterinary Journal, 14(4), 451–457. https://doi.org/10.30607/kvj.978222
  34. Schnell, S. A., Ohtsuka, H., Kakinuma, S., Yoshikawa, Y., Watanabe, K., & Orino, K. (2015). Iron and ferritin levels in the serum and milk of bovine leukemia virus-infected dairy cows. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2(12), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2015.00012
  35. Weinberg, E. D. (1996). Iron withholding: A defense against viral infections. Biometals, 9(4), 393–399. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00140609