Benjamin D. Enger, PhD

Profile Tabs

Profile

Associate Professor

enger.5@osu.edu

330-263-3801

Office:

143 Gerlaugh Hall

Wooster, OH 44691

Professional Information

Degrees & Credentials:

Ph.D., Virginia Tech, Dairy Science, 2018

M.S., Washington State University, Animal Science, 2014

B.S., University of Idaho, Animal and Veterinary Science, 2012

Research Area(s):

Dairy

Mastitis

Mammary Physiology

Biography:

Dr. Enger is an Associate Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences with an 80% research, 20% teaching appointment. Originally from the western US, Dr. Enger received his BS degree from the University of Idaho and then completed a MS degree at Washington State University where his research focused on teat disinfectants. Dr. Enger then moved east to complete a PhD in Dairy Science at Virginia Tech where his research explored the relationship between mastitis and mammary gland growth and development. Dr. Enger has received federal grant funding and served on federal and international review panels. Dr. Enger is an active member of both the American Dairy Science Association and the National Mastitis Council.

Research Focus:

Dr. Enger has led the OARDC Mastitis and Mammary Physiology Laboratory since 2018. The long-terms goals of the laboratory are to reduce the occurrence and impact that mastitis has on mammary gland productivity and delineate fundamental aspects of mammary gland biology that affect mammary gland growth, development, and milk production. Accordingly, the laboratory conducts both in vivo and in vitro applied research that is directly applicable to the dairy industry and basic research investigating fundamental concepts of mammary gland biology and function. The laboratory has 3 key areas:

Identify and apply mastitis abatement practices and tools to reduce disease prevalence, occurrence, and economic losses in lactating and non-lactating cattle.
Delineate and limit how mastitis hinders milk synthesis and secretion and mammary growth and development.
Identify foundational processes of mammary gland growth and development that can be exploited to enhance mammary gland growth, development, and productivity.

View Publications

Past and Current Laboratory Members:

Current Members

Kellie M. Enger, Research Associate and Laboratory Manager

Mauricio Oliveira, PhD candidate

Kaylee R. Montgomery, MS student

Elizabeth N. Plunkett, PhD student

Sierra Stillabower, MS student

Evy M. Tobolski, PhD student

Past Members

Nicki R. Hardy, MS

Lindsay R. Larsen, MS

Pari H. Baker, MS

Cori S. Gammariello, MS

Works

Selected Journal Articles:

C. S. Gammariello, J. Hanson, A. E. Relling, M. X. S. Oliveira, A. Sipka, K. M. Enger, and B. D. Enger. 2024. Localized mammary gland changes in milk composition and venous blood metabolite concentrations result from sterile subclinical mastitis. J. Dairy Sci. In Press.

Enger, B.D., C.S. Gammariello, M.X.S. Oliveira, P.H. Baker, and K.M. Enger. 2023. Effects of oyster glycogen intramammary challenge on primiparous cow milk somatic cell counts, milk yields, and milk composition. J. Dairy Sci. Comm. 4:513-517. doi.org/10.3168/jdsc.2023-0387.

Baker, P.H, K.M. Enger, S.K. Jacobi, R.M. Akers, and B.D. Enger. 2023. Cellular proliferation and apoptosis in Staphylococcus aureus-infected heifer mammary glands experiencing rapid mammary gland growth. J. Dairy Sci. 106:2642-2650. doi:10.3168/jds.2022-22716.

Baker, P.H, S.K. Jacobi, R.M Akers, and B.D. Enger. 2023. Histological tissue structure alterations resulting from Staphylococcus aureus intramammary infection in heifer mammary glands hormonally induced to rapidly grow and develop. J. Dairy Sci. 106:1370-1382. doi.org/10.3168/jds.2022-22463. Editor’s Choice Article.

Rodriguez, M., B.D. Enger, W.P. Weiss, K. Lee, and C. Lee. 2023. Effects of different vitamin A supplies in transition cows on the risk of ketosis and performance. J. Dairy Sci. 106: 2361-2373. doi.org/10.3168/jds.2022-22491.

L.R. Larsen, L.E. Moraes, and B.D. Enger. 2022. Characteristics of mammary secretions collected from infected and uninfected primigravid dairy heifer mammary glands. J. Dairy Sci. 105:7615-7622. doi:10.3168/jds.2022-21794.

Miquilini, M., N.R. Hardy, P.A. Dieter, A.E. Relling, and B.D. Enger. 2022. Estradiol administration in Holstein heifer calves differentially affects the fatty acid composition of subcutaneous adipose and the mammary fat pad tissues. J. Dairy Res. 89:156-159. doi:10.1017/S0022029922000413.

Enger, K.M., N.R. Hardy, E.M. Hist, and B.D. Enger. 2021. Relationship between intramammary infection and antibody concentrations in Jersey and Holstein colostrum. J. Dairy Sci. 104:6124-6133. doi:10.3168/jds.2020-19316.

Larsen, L.R., P.H. Baker, K.M. Enger, L.E. Moraes, P.R.F. Adkins, J.A. Pempek, C.A. Zimmerly, S.M. Gauta, R.L. Bond and B.D. Enger. 2021. Administration of internal teat sealant in primigravid dairy heifers at different times of gestation to prevent intramammary infections at calving. J. Dairy Sci. 104:12773-12784. doi:10.3168/jds.2021-20819.

Hardy, N.R. K.M. Enger, J. Hanson, M.L. Eastridge, L.E. Moraes, and B.D. Enger. 2021. Organization of mammary blood vessels as affected by mammary parenchymal region and estradiol administration in Holstein heifer calves. J. Dairy Sci. 104:6200-6211. doi:10.3168/jds.2020-19233.

Enger, B.D., S.N. Lehner, C.L.M. Parsons, R.M. Akers, and N.R. Hardy. 2020. Effects of intramammary infection and parenchymal region on collagen abundance in nonlactating bovine mammary glands. Appl. Anim. Sci. 36:688-693. doi:10.15232/aas.2020-02003.

Enger, B.D., S.C. Nickerson, R.M. Akers, L.E. Moraes, and C.E. Crutchfield. 2020. Use of commercial somatic cell counters to quantify somatic cells in non-lactating bovine mammary gland secretions. Prev. Vet. Med. 174:104775. doi:10.1016/j.prevetmed.2019.104775.

Enger, B.D. 2019. Invited Reivew: Reevaluating how mastitis reduces milk yield: Discussion of competitive substrate utilization. Applied Animal Science. 35:408-415. doi:10.15232/aas.2019-01876. Editor’s Choice Article

Enger, B.D., H.L.M. Tucker, S.C. Nickerson, C.L.M. Parsons, and R.M. Akers. 2019. Effects of Staphylococcus aureus intramammary infection on the expression of estrogen receptor α and progesterone receptor in mammary glands of nonlactating cows administered estradiol and progesterone to stimulate mammary growth. J. Dairy Sci. 102:2607-2617. doi:10.3168/jds.2018-15499.

Enger, B.D., S.C. Nickerson, H.L.M. Tucker, C.L.M. Parsons, and R.M. Akers. 2019. Apoptosis and proliferation in Staphylococcus aureus-challenged, nonlactating mammary glands stimulated to grow rapidly and develop with estradiol and progesterone. J. Dairy Sci. 102:857-865. doi:10.3168/jds.2018-15498.

Enger, B.D., C.E. Crutchfield, T.T. Yohe, K.M. Enger, S.C. Nickerson, C.L.M. Parsons, and R.M. Akers. 2018. Staphylococcus aureus intramammary challenge in non-lactating mammary glands stimulated to rapidly grow and develop with estradiol and progesterone. Vet. Res. 49:47 doi:10.1186/s13567-018-0542-x.

Lowe, J.L., L.K. Fox, B.D. Enger, A. Adams Progar, and J.M. Gay. 2018. Effect of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration on the cultivation of bovine Mycoplasma species. J. Dairy Sci. 101:4660-4666. doi:10.3168/jds.2017-13758.

Enger, B.D. R.R. White. S.C. Nickerson, and L.K. Fox. 2016. Identification of factors influencing teat dip efficacy trial results by meta-analysis. J. Dairy Sci. 99:9900-9911. doi:10.3168/jds.2016-11359. Editor’s Choice Article.

Enger, B.D. L.K. Fox, J.M. Gay, and K.A. Johnson. 2015. Reduction of teat skin mastitis pathogen loads: Differences between strains, dips, and contact times. J. Dairy Sci. 98:1354-1361. doi:10.3168/jds.2014-8622.

Search form

Benjamin D. Enger, PhD

Breadcrumb Menu

Profile Tabs

Professional Information