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

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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.