Test mastitis DNA to improve treatment, milk quality, and milk production.
What is PCR-based Mastitis DNA Testing?
PCR is a technique to amplify a single or few copies of a piece of DNA across several orders of magnitude, generating millions or more copies of a particular DNA sequence.
The real-time PCR-based mastitis assay is a revolutionary method for cow mastitis testing. The assay can identify and quantify 15 major mastitis-causing species or groups plus Staphylococcal β-lactamase penicillin resistance gene.
What are the advantages?
- Samples do not need to be sterile, but can be taken aseptically
- The preserved samples from DHIA testing can be used
- You don’t need to collect a separate sample
- You can also pool samples from groups of cows to help cut down on costs
You can also select your high SCC cows after they have been tested in the Lancaster DHIA lab, tell your technician that you want all cows over a certain level of SCC tested, or you can request testing of any fresh cows from the past month to help prevent a new case of mastitis.
We will send results to both you and your veterinarian aiding in more efficient treatment and decreased milk loss.
Why use PCR-based Mastitis testing over the standard culture?
In approximately 25–40% of bovine milk samples taken from animals with clinical mastitis, no bacterial growth can be detected with conventional culturing.
PCR-based mastitis DNA testing leads to more effective treatments by:
- Specifically identifying coliforms
- Identifying sources of mastitis in a single cow or bulk tank sample
- Identifying sources of mastitis in cows already being treated
- Decreasing test time from 2-10 days (conventional culturing) to 1-2 days from when we receive the sample at the lab
- Finding sub-clinical cases before they become clinical or chronic
How do I get started?
You can ask your Lancaster DHIA technician on test day or call the office. If you are not a Lancaster DHIA customer, please call and we can arrange to have sample vials sent to you.
What are the testing options and what do they include?
We offer 3 options for PCR-based mastitis DNA testing:
- Complete 16
- Contagious Analysis
View the graph below to compare testing options and what bacteria is included.
Costs of PCR-based Mastitis DNA Testing
Lancaster DHIA Customer Price
- Call for current pricing and volume pricing
- Complete-16 Test
- Contagious Test
- Volume Discount over 30 samples
Non LDHIA Customer Price
- Call for current pricing and volume pricing
- Complete-16 Test
- Contagious Test
- Volume Discount over 30 samples
- Group Discounts are available for Milk Cooperatives
- Shipping available to all areas in USA
- All Pricing Agreements must be approved by Lancaster DHIA management.