Effect Of Low Level Laser Acupuncture On Subclinical Mastitis and Reproductive Disorders In Dairy Cattle

Abstract

Thirty-six cases of subclinical mastitis and forty-sixcases of various reproductive disorders (persistent corpus luteum [28\, quiescent ovary [12\, silent heat [5\ and pyometra [1\) in dairy cattle were treated with low level. laser acupuncture (LLLA) using a GaAlAs semiconductor diode laser (wavelength 830 nm, output 80 mW. contact mode of application). The efficacy of LLLA for subclinical mastitis, measured as a decrease in somatic cell count (SCC) of≥100,000, was 80.6%. SCC decreased significantly from an average of 767,000 before LLLA to an average of 547,000 a month after LLLA(p< 0.005). The efficacy of LLLA for reproductive disorders, measured as the recurrence of heat within 1 month after beginning LLLA, was 80.4% (73.6% for persistent corpus luteum, 75% for quiescent ovary, 100.0% for silent head and 0.0% for pyometra). The results suggest that low level laser acupuncture can be used as an alternative therapy for subclinical mastitis and reproductive disorders, excluding pyometra, in dairy cattle. © 1994, International Phototherapy Association. All rights reserved.