Open research questions in Milk Quality and Mastitis in Dairy Cows

What the literature leaves open

• Future research should focus on standardized, longitudinal studies to clarify interactions between host, environment, and microbes, providing a foundation for safer milk production and microbiome-informed herd management strategies. Despite progress in molecular analyses, the core milk microbiome remains poorly defined, and the impact of other bovine diseases is largely unknown.

  Microbiome of Bovine Milk and Factors Influencing Its Composition · 2026 · DOI

• Future research should focus on the development of robust, generalizable prediction models, the integration of multi-source data streams, and the implementation of targeted training programs for veterinarians and farmers to the effective use of AMS-generated data.

  Automatic milking systems as a tool for mastitis control in dairy cow herds – a review · 2026 · DOI

• Going forward, there is a need for further research on the virulence factors of mastitiscausing bacteria in dairy cows, especially more in vivo studies or studies targeting bMECs. In light of this, the following research orientations have been pointed out for a comprehensive understanding of the virulence factors of mastitis-causing bacteria in dairy cows. 7.1.

  Virulence of Bacteria Causing Mastitis in Dairy Cows: A Literature Review · 2025 · DOI

• Future research will focus on the development of an intramammary injectable formulation utilizing a viscous hydrogel, aimed at enhancing product retention and ensuring the colloidal stability of the nanoparticles.

  Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activity of Chitosan Nanoparticles Against Staphylococcus aureus Strains Isolated from Bovine Mastitis Milk · 2025 · DOI

• The imbalance in binary data, with the number of healthy cows being four to five times higher than mastitic cows. The need to model high-dimensional and noisy data. The challenge of reducing experimental costs and interfering with the daily working routine of farmers.

  The Prediction of Clinical Mastitis in Dairy Cows Based on Milk Yield, Rumination Time, and Milk Electrical Conductivity Using Machine Learning Algorithms · 2024 · DOI

• The need to improve milk quality and reduce antimicrobial use in dairy production. The importance of understanding the effects of nutritional modifications on milk yield and composition. The gap in knowledge regarding the relationship between fatty acid profiles in milk and human health.

  Factors Affecting Milk Productivity, Milk Quality and Dairy Cow Health · 2024 · DOI

• There is a need to investigate the distribution of mastitis pathogens in quarter milk samples from Bavaria, Southern Germany. The study aims to fill the gap by analyzing the distribution of pathogens in relation to the clinical status of the quarters and seasonal differences in detection risk. The study also aims to provide a large-scale analysis of mastitis pathogens in quarter milk samples.

  Distribution of Bovine Mastitis Pathogens in Quarter Milk Samples from Bavaria, Southern Germany, between 2014 and 2023—A Retrospective Study · 2024 · DOI

• The development of standardized analytical processes for validation is a challenge. The selection and application of biomarkers is a task of practical significance but also poses considerable challenges. Large-scale cohort validation and clinical verification processes are needed to establish biomarkers.

  Overview of Bovine Mastitis: Application of Metabolomics in Screening Its Predictive and Diagnostic Biomarkers · 2024 · DOI

• The need for a model that can accurately detect mastitis using ultrasound images. The lack of highly skilled veterinarians in certain regions, compromising diagnosis accuracy and timeliness.

  A New Method to Detect Buffalo Mastitis Using Udder Ultrasonography Based on Deep Learning Network · 2024 · DOI

• The lack of research on buffalo mastitis detection. The need for a deep learning network that can accurately detect mastitis using udder ultrasonography.

  A New Method to Detect Buffalo Mastitis Using Udder Ultrasonography Based on Deep Learning Network · 2024 · DOI

• Few studies have utilized AI for bovine mastitis detection. There is a need for further research in applying AI models to bovine mastitis detection. The paper highlights the potential for further research in this area, particularly in using AI models to improve mastitis control.

  Current Trends in Artificial Intelligence and Bovine Mastitis Research: A Bibliometric Review Approach · 2024 · DOI

• There is a need to understand the effects of parity and somatic cell count threshold on udder morphology and milk quality in Canarian goats. Prior studies have focused on the effects of parity on milk production and milking kinetics, but the current study investigates the impact on udder morphology and milk quality.

  Effects of Parity and Somatic Cell Count Threshold on Udder Morphology, Milkability Traits, and Milk Quality in Canarian Goats · 2024 · DOI

• One challenge is the need for early detection of mastitis, especially in cases of subclinical inflammation. Another challenge is the identification of Streptococcus species as the cause of mastitis.

  Interleukin-6 as a Milk Marker of Clinical and Subclinical Intramammary Infections (IMI) in Cows Caused by Streptococcus spp. · 2024 · DOI

• There is a need for early detection of mastitis, especially in cases of subclinical inflammation. Current methods for detecting mastitis may not be effective in identifying subclinical cases.

  Interleukin-6 as a Milk Marker of Clinical and Subclinical Intramammary Infections (IMI) in Cows Caused by Streptococcus spp. · 2024 · DOI

• The incidence of mastitis is still high despite positive measures to control it. The mechanism of IL-17A in the development of bacterial mastitis is not well understood.

  Regulation of Inflammatory Responses of Cow Mammary Epithelial Cells through MAPK Signaling Pathways of IL-17A Cytokines · 2024 · DOI

• The study only included dairy cows from seven small-scale farms, - The study only used a limited number of antimicrobial resistance tests, - The study did not investigate the impact of antimicrobial resistance on human…

  Detection of Staphylococcus Isolates and Their Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles and Virulence Genes from Subclinical Mastitis Cattle Milk Using MALDI-TOF MS, PCR and Sequencing in Free State Province, South Africa · 2024 · DOI

• Investigate the impact of antimicrobial resistance on human health, - Develop strategies to control the spread of antimicrobial-resistant Staphylococcus species, - Investigate the effectiveness of different antimicrobial treatments against Staphylococcus…

  Detection of Staphylococcus Isolates and Their Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles and Virulence Genes from Subclinical Mastitis Cattle Milk Using MALDI-TOF MS, PCR and Sequencing in Free State Province, South Africa · 2024 · DOI

• Analyzing the OBCFA profile is a promising, non-invasive method for assessing ruminal fermentation processes, - Research on risk factors allows for a better understanding of how to reduce the risk…

  Factors Affecting Milk Productivity, Milk Quality and Dairy Cow Health · 2024 · DOI

• Extensive research is needed to establish standardized analytical processes for validation, - The combined analyses of metabolomics and other omics technologies as well as multi-sample analysis will play a huge scientific research role, - Large-scale cohort validation and clinical verification processes are needed to serve as indicators of biochemical changes…

  Overview of Bovine Mastitis: Application of Metabolomics in Screening Its Predictive and Diagnostic Biomarkers · 2024 · DOI

• Few studies utilized AI for bovine mastitis detection, - Primarily employing artificial neural network…

  Current Trends in Artificial Intelligence and Bovine Mastitis Research: A Bibliometric Review Approach · 2024 · DOI

• The paper identifies a gap in the current methods for predicting the prevalence of subclinical mastitis in dairy sheep farms. The study aims to fill this gap by developing a computational model using machine learning techniques.

  The Use of Machine Learning to Predict Prevalence of Subclinical Mastitis in Dairy Sheep Farms · 2024 · DOI

• The study was conducted over a 12-week period, - The sample size was 41 Canarian goats, - Long-term studies are needed to verify…

  Effects of Parity and Somatic Cell Count Threshold on Udder Morphology, Milkability Traits, and Milk Quality in Canarian Goats · 2024 · DOI

• Investigate the effects of other cytokines on CMECs, - Investigate the effects of IL-17A on other cell types, - Examine the therapeutic potential of targeting IL-17A…

  Regulation of Inflammatory Responses of Cow Mammary Epithelial Cells through MAPK Signaling Pathways of IL-17A Cytokines · 2024 · DOI

• Investigating the effects of different storage temperatures on bacterial communities in pasteurized milk, - Analyzing milk samples from various regions and countries, - Studying the impact of farm management practices on the microbiota composition of raw and pasteurized…

  The Investigation of Changes in Bacterial Community of Pasteurized Milk during Cold Storage · 2024 · DOI

• The study only included small-holder dairy farms in Gansu Province, China, - The study used a cross-sectional design, - The sample size was limited to 40 small-holder dairy farms and 530 lactating…

  Subclinical Mastitis in Small-Holder Dairy Herds of Gansu Province, Northwest China: Prevalence, Bacterial Pathogens, Antimicrobial Susceptibility, and Risk Factor Analysis · 2024 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Milk Quality and Mastitis in Dairy Cows

• Advances in therapeutic and managemental approaches of bovine mastitis: a comprehensive review · Veterinary Quarterly · 2021 · 314 citations
• Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of cow's milk protein allergy in infants · Archives of Disease in Childhood · 2007 · 305 citations
• Immunomodulatory effects of lactoferrin · Acta Pharmacologica Sinica · 2014 · 283 citations
• Immunologic factors in human milk during the first year of lactation · The Journal of Pediatrics · 1982 · 242 citations
• Natural history of cow milk allergy: Clinical outcome · The Journal of Pediatrics · 1990 · 208 citations
• Elimination diet in cow's milk allergy: Risk for impaired growth in young children · The Journal of Pediatrics · 1998 · 199 citations
• Bioactive Proteins in Human Milk: Health, Nutrition, and Implications for Infant Formulas · The Journal of Pediatrics · 2016 · 182 citations
• Human Milk in the Modern World · BMJ · 1978 · 176 citations
• Diversity and pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus from bovine mastitis: current understanding and future perspectives · BMC Veterinary Research · 2022 · 176 citations
• Human milk and formula fatty acids · The Journal of Pediatrics · 1992 · 175 citations

Most recent work

• Bovine Mastitis Therapy at a Crossroads: Pharmacokinetic Barriers, Biofilms, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Emerging Solutions · Pharmaceuticals · 2026
• Development and Application of a Dual-Readout RPA-PfAgo System for Rapid Detection of Streptococcus agalactiae in Bovine Milk · Veterinary Sciences · 2026
• Randomized, Negative-Controlled Pilot Study on the Treatment of Intramammary Staphylococcus aureus Infections in Dairy Cows with a Bacteriophage Cocktail · Antibiotics · 2026
• Repurposing metformin as a dual-function agent to combat E. coli-induced mastitis: Mechanistic insights into biofilm dispersion and AMPK/SIRT1-mediated NF-κB inhibition · PLoS Pathogens · 2026
• Non-prescription dispensing of veterinary medicines for treating mastitis in dairy cattle among non-veterinary personnel in selected districts of Zambia · Frontiers in Veterinary Science · 2026
• Graduate Student Literature Review: Viable but nonculturable state in Staphylococcus aureus—A potential implication for food safety in the context of bovine mastitis · Journal of Dairy Science · 2026
• Virulence factors of bovine mastitis pathogens: distribution, pathogenesis, and emerging vaccines targeting virulence factors: a literature review · Frontiers in Veterinary Science · 2026
• Field-deployable molecular workflow for detection, resistance screening, and genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus in bovine mastitis · The Veterinary Journal · 2026
• Microbiome of Bovine Milk and Factors Influencing Its Composition · Animals · 2026
• Fisetin alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced mastitis by inhibiting ferroptosis and modulating the gut microbiota · Veterinary Quarterly · 2026

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