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Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Bovine Mammary Gland Biopsy Techniques
Published on: December 23, 2018
[Minimal-invasive tissue sampling at the bovine udder]
Simon Beck1, Rainer Hospes1, Zdzislaw Gajewski2
1Klinik für Geburtshilfe, Gynäkologie und Andrologie der Groß- und Kleintiere, Klinikum Veterinärmedizin, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen.
Objective:
In some cases, classical diagnostic procedures of bovine mastitis, including adspectation, palpation, and examination of milk samples, are of limited reliability, such that histological examination of udder tissue would be a useful addition. The study aimed to identify localizations for tissue sampling and to validate the biopsy technique.
Animals And Methods:
In the present study, sonographic examinations on bovine udders (n = 16) were performed, to identify ideal localizations for tissue sampling, which were tested in slaughterhouse organs (n = 10) and verified in udders of lactating cows (n = 16).
Results:
Ideal localizations for tissue sampling, avoiding puncturing of blood vessels, were sonographically identified in the area of the udder cistern. Tissue sampling in lactating cows proved to be free of complications in 73 % of cases and all tissue specimens obtained were suitable for histology.
Conclusion And Clinical Relevance:
Tissue sampling by biopsy for microbiological and histopathological examinations supplements common procedures in the diagnostics of mastitis in the dairy cow and, if performed in the area of the udder cistern, can be conducted without sonographical control under field conditions.
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