Ligament Responsible for Udder Breakdown

Which ligament is elastic and primarily responsible for udder breakdown?

Correct Answer: Median suspensory ligament

The median suspensory ligament is elastic and is primarily responsible for udder breakdown. When it weakens (due to genetics, age, or repeated pregnancies), the udder drops — this is termed udder breakdown.

Suspensory Structures of the Udder

• Median suspensory ligament: Elastic → responsible for udder breakdown when weakened.
• Two lateral suspensory ligaments: Non-elastic (fibrous) → provide firm lateral support.
• Skin: Provides external support.

Why This Distinction Matters

• Cows with weak median suspensory ligaments have pendulous (low-hanging) udders, which are more prone to injury, mastitis, and difficulty in machine milking.
• Udder attachment scores are used in dairy cattle breeding programmes to select against udder breakdown.

Why Other Options Are Wrong

• Lateral suspensory ligament → non-elastic; it provides support but is NOT responsible for udder breakdown.
• Both → only the median ligament is elastic; the laterals are not.
• Inguinal ligament → not a suspensory structure of the udder.