Novel, rheologically-structured implants for the prevention/treatment of bovine mastitis

About the Project

Bovine mastitis has already been recognized as one of the most serious problems that affects milk production and quality, resulting in large financial losses to dairy farmers. The milk produced by sick cattle cannot be used for food production, and the cattle will suffer irreversible tissue damage because of infection. It has been reported the economic cost caused by mastitis to be between £27 and £367 /average cow per year therefore the failure cost places considerable pressure on the industry.

Traditionally, disease management involved the treatment of mastitis locally using antibiotic-loaded intramammary formulations, however there are issues with this approach, notably, poor retention within the udder, the development of antimicrobial resistance, the need to dispose of milk due to the presence of antibiotics and cost. Nowadays, the use of the local application of antibiotics has dramatically diminished and accordingly new prevention/treatment strategies are urgently required.

In conjunction with a veterinary company, we have developed a comprehensive understanding of the rheological properties required to ensure retention of gels within the udder. This PhD project will progress this understanding to develop novel intramammary formulations that provide controlled release of antimicrobial natural non-antibiotic, antimicrobial agents and prolonged retention within the udder.

Training that will be provided through the research project

Extensive training will be provided in a number of areas including, Pharmaceutical Rheology, Spectroscopy, Mechanical Analysis, Antimicrobial Testing.

Support will be given by a post-doctoral fellow

Expected impact activities

It is anticipated that this programme will result in a commercially available intramammary formulation