The effects of storage and method of fixation on somatic cell counts in bovine milk.

Fresh milk samples and potassium dichromate preserved milk samples were stored at both ambient, approximately 21 degree C, and refrigerator temperatures, 3-5 degree C, for varying lengths of time before somatic cell counts were performed on an electronic particle counter. Fresh milk samples stored at ambient temperatures became unacceptable for somatic cell counting by 16 hours while those stored in the refrigerator were acceptable for up to three days. Once dichromate had been added to the milk no difference in cell counts attributable to temperature of storage were detected and there was very little change with time up to 14 days. On the average the addition of the dichromate elevated the cell counts/mL. As well a method of rapid fixation of milk involving the addition of glutaraldehyde prior to counting was evaluated. In fresh milk samples the use of glutaraldehyde as a fixative required adjustment of the threshold setting on the cell counter in order to produce results comparable to those obtained from formalin fixed samples. With dichromate preserved milk samples, glutaraldehyde fixation generally elevated the cell counts but the results were variable.     

Dynamics and regulation of bulk milk somatic cell counts.

Somatic cell count (SCC) in milk is inversely related to dairy cow productivity and milk quality. In an effort to improve product quality, and indirectly farm productivity, regulatory limits on somatic cell counts have been established by many of the major dairy producing countries. The purpose of this paper was to assess the impact of regulations on bulk milk somatic cell counts in Ontario and to assist producers in meeting regulatory limits through development of prediction models. Through the use of a transfer function model, provincial SCC was found to have dropped by approximately 60,000 as a result of the reduction program. Limits of the regulatory program, seasonality and herd characteristics were found through time series cross-sectional models to have an impact on prediction of SCC at the farm level, but the major influence was historical SCC levels.     

Post-milking teat dip use in dairy herds with high or low somatic cell counts.

Milk samples for bacteriologic culture were submitted from 71 dairy herds, 24 with low somatic cell count (SCC) and 47 with high SCC and high prevalence of subclinical mastitis. At the time of sample submission to the Mastitis Diagnostic Laboratory of Pennsylvania State University, information regarding the herd mastitis control practices was collected. A combined program of post-milking teat dipping (PMTD) and antibiotic treatment of all cows at the start of the nonlactating period was practiced more frequently for herds with low SCC, (P less than 0.001) than for herds with high SCC. Among all herds for which PMTD was practiced, a higher proportion (P less than 0.001) of those for which chlorhexidine-based products were used had low SCC than high SCC. Conversely, a higher proportion of herds for which a dip with an acrylic latex barrier was used had high SCC rather than low SCC (P = 0.002). For herds with high prevalence of subclinical mastitis, and despite a program of PMTD and treatment of all cows at the start of the nonlactating period, a change to a different germicidal teat dip product may be indicated to help reduce prevalence of infection.     

The association between high milk somatic cell counts in the first lactation and somatic cell counts in the second lactation

With the advent of web-based recording and analysis systems, individual cow composite somatic cell count (SCC) data are being increasingly used for decision support in mastitis control at both the individual cow and herd level. SCC data from first and second lactation dairy cows (n=1912) from 12 farms were analysed using multinomial logistic regression to investigate possible associations between high SCC patterns in the first lactation and the subsequent lactation. Animals with three non-consecutive counts >200,000 cells/mL in their first lactation were significantly more likely to have three non-consecutive counts >200,000 cells/mL (OR 3.11; 95% CI 1.72-5.62) or three consecutive counts >200,000 cells/mL (OR 2.00; 95% CI 1.09-3.68) in their second lactation. Similarly animals with three consecutive counts >200,000 cells/mL in their first lactation were significantly more likely to have three non-consecutive counts >200,000 cells/mL (OR 1.90; 95% CI 1.13-3.19) or three consecutive counts >200,000 cells/mL (OR 4.14; 95% CI 2.81-6.08) in their second lactation. These findings suggest that patterns established in the first lactation may have an impact on udder health in the subsequent lactation. However, simulation modelling of positive predictive values for the first lactation cell count patterns as predictors of second lactation patterns demonstrated that, at prevalences likely to be encountered on UK dairy farms, the associations were not a sufficient basis for major management decisions such as culling.     

Impact of milking characteristics and teat morphology on somatic cell counts in first-lactation Norwegian cattle

Data from the Norwegian progeny-testing program were used to examine the impact of milking characteristics and teat morphology on log_e somatic cell counts (SCC) in first-lactation Norwegian Cattle. Three primary independent study variables (2-min milk, milk leakage and teat-end-to-floor distance) were evaluated in addition to six other study variables and six potential confounding variables. Seven different regression models were evaluated. Sire and herd were identified as confounding variables. The chosen model was based on 4090 cows in 1993 herds, sired by 119 bulls, and had a coefficient of variation of 0.59. Increased 2-min milk, decreased teat-end-to-floor distance and inverted or pointed teat-end shapes were significantly (P ≤ 0.01) associated with a higher log_e SCC. Effect of herd was absorbed in the model and explained 50% of the total variability in log_e SCC, whereas sire and the total effect the study variables explained < 5% each. Among-herd variability is discussed in relation to the study design.     

Monitoring udder health and milk quality using somatic cell counts

In this article the use of somatic cell counts for monitoring udder health and milk quality is discussed. Somatic cell count dynamics at quarter, cow, herd and population level are discussed and illustrated with examples. Quarter and cow somatic cell counts directly represent the inflammatory status of the mammary gland. Herd and population somatic cell count are related to the inflammatory process in individual cows but much more reflect the udder health status of the herd and the quality of the raw milk in the herd and the population. Application of monitoring tools in herd health management are illustrated using a case study. Understanding infection dynamics requires precise longitudinal data. Monitoring tools are required to find the areas of risk in the herd. It is inevitable that more complete udder health programs and monitoring systems are to be developed and implemented. These programs are necessarily dynamic and complex. Implementation of complete udder health programs should be accompanied by research efforts to further fine-tune these complete udder health control and monitoring programs.     

Observations on intramammary infection and somatic cell counts in cows treated with recombinant bovine somatotropin.

Data were collected on udder health variables as part of a study of the effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin on production in lactating dairy cows. Milk samples, obtained at three intervals during the study, were assessed for their somatic cell count and bacteriological culture result. There was an increase in the prevalence of infection at mid-lactation in the 20.6 and 41.2 mg per day treatment groups as compared to the controls. There was no difference detected in the mean cell count between groups from the samples collected pretrial, mid-lactation, or late lactation. However, analysis of the individual cow Dairy Herd Improvement somatic cell count data showed a difference between groups which was most evident in mid-lactation.     

Incidence of clinical mastitis on farms with low somatic cell counts in bulk milk

A total of 1140 clinical cases of mastitis, with at least one inflamed quarter, were reported on 125 farms with somatic cell counts in bulk milk less than 150,000/ml. The average annual incidence was 17.9 cases per 100 cows and ranged from none to 80 cases per 100 cows. The microorganisms most frequently isolated were Escherichia coli (16.2 per cent), coagulase negative staphylococci (13.0 per cent), Staphylococcus aureus (9.6 per cent) and Streptococcus uberis (8.0 per cent). Only two cases of Streptococcus agalactiae were found. As the incidence of clinical mastitis increased, the proportion of S aureus also increased, while the proportions of E coli, S uberis and Streptococcus dysgalactiae remained about the same. Most of the clinical cases of mastitis occurred in early lactation, in November, December and January. However, after correction for the number of calvings per month, the incidence of mastitis was highest in the early summer months.     

Influence of storage and preservation of milk samples on microscopic and Fossomatic somatic cell counts.

Milk somatic cell counting was carried out by Fossomatic and microscopically. In unpreserved milk samples Fossomatic counts increased by up to 100% during the first 24 hours after milking. During the next 24 hours the counts increased by 5% whereafter they remained stable until at least 80 hours after milking, when the samples were stored at 5 degress C. On microscopical counting using methylene blue for staining, the results were stable from shortly after milking. In counting, attention had to be paid to the fact that within the first 24 hours a certain part of the cells would stain but faintly. After preservation with potassium bichromate the Fossomatic counts increased more rapidly. Stable results were found 5--8 hours after preservation. The final level of the Fossomatic counts was found to be app. 10% higher in preserved than in unpreserved samples. A smaller increase was found by microscopic counting. The rise of the cell counts during the first 24 hours after milking is probably due to inadequate stainability of living cells with ethidium bromide, resulting in a certain part of them being recorded by the Fossomatic. During the first day the vitality of the cells diminishes whereby they become stainable and countable. This process in hastened by potassium bichromate treatment.     

奶牛乳汁体细胞数的快速检测及其临床意义

本文用新型便携式体细胞计数仪C-Reader对奶牛乳汁体细胞数(SCC)进行快速、精确地检测,同时对乳样中的病原菌进行分离鉴定,旨在指导奶牛乳房炎的诊断、预防及治疗。选用北京及河北地区10个奶牛场的111头奶牛共428份奶样,进行SCC计数。SCC20万/mL的奶样占63.6%,SCC介于20万/mL～50万/mL的奶样占13.1%,SCC50万/mL占23.3%。检测的111头奶牛中,60头奶牛患有隐性乳房炎,头发病率54.1%,乳区发病率23.3%。隐性乳房炎SCC变化范围50.6万/mL～984.3万/mL。对隐性乳房炎乳样进行致病菌分离培养,其阳性率高达82.0%。共鉴定出100株致病菌,其中金黄色葡萄球菌64株,表皮葡萄球菌11株,大肠杆菌8株,链球菌10株,其他菌7株。结果表明,C-Reader计数仪能够快速准确地检测北京及河北地区的奶牛隐性乳房炎,其病原菌以金黄色葡萄球菌为主。     

Total and differential bulk cow milk somatic cell counts and their relation with lipolysis

Endocrine system plays a major role in the control of reproductive functions which are regulated by the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonad axis and its interactions. FSH and LH receptor genes are expressed at the gonads and GnRH receptor gene is expressed at the anterior pituitary gland. Misense mutations of the FSH, LH or GnRH receptors, activating or inactivating their functions in mammals, are potentially useful to allow the understanding of the role of this group of gonadotropins in reproductive phenotypes as early puberty and birth interval length. In the present study, polymorphisms in bovine exon 11 and 3′UTR of LHR, exon 10 and 3′UTR of FSHR and GnRHR genes were characterized with some of them resulting in changes in the aminoacidic chain. These polymorphic sites were found in a Bos taurus indicus (Nellore) female population by means of PCR–SSCP and DNA sequencing. Association between nucleotidic/aminoacidic changes and early puberty were determined by Chi-square analysis. It was found association between FSHR 3′UTR polymorphisms at position 2181, 2248 and 2249 bp and early puberty phenotype (p < 0.05). The presence of these new molecular markers might be considered in further studies to validate its correlation with early puberty or other reproduction associated phenotypes in cattle breeds.     

Variation in somatic cell counts of milk samples from individual cows

Somatic cell counts of 2570 milk samples from 765 cows collected bimonthly from November 1975 to May 1976 were transformed to logarithmic values and analysed statistically. Components of variance were estimated as follows: Herds 0.033 (13 %), age groups 0.021 (8%), cows (within herds and age groups) 0.080 (31%), months 0.014 (6%), residual 0.107 (42%). Correction of actual cell counts for the influence of milk yield on the day of sampling led to only small changes in the magnitude of the various components. The coefficient of correlation between samples from the same cow was computed as 0.60 when the samples were from the same lactation, and 0.37 for samples from consecutive lactations.The proportionately small variation among herds as compared to the variation among cows of the same herd throws doubt on the efficiency of cell counting in samples of herd milk as a way of identifying cows with high cell counts.     

Experimental intramammary inoculation with Mycoplasma bovis in vaccinated and unvaccinated cows: effect on milk production and milk quality.

The effect of vaccination on milk production was evaluated in vaccinated and control cows experimentally challenged in two of four quarters with live Mycoplasma bovis. During the first three weeks after experimental challenge, six of eight unchallenged quarters on vaccinated cows and seven of eight unchallenged quarters on control cows became infected. Most of these quarters secreted normal milk, with negative California Mastitis Test scores and maintained normal milk production throughout most of the study (although some quarters on control cows remained infected). All challenged quarters became infected, had strong California Mastitis Test reactions, and had a drastic (greater than 85%) loss in milk production. Thereafter, four of eight challenged quarters on control cows remained infected, had mostly positive California Mastitis Test scores, produced mostly normal-appearing milk, and recovered some productive capabilities. By the end of the study no M. bovis could be recovered from challenged quarters on vaccinated cows and the milk appeared mostly normal. The California Mastitis Test scores on these quarters, however, remained elevated and milk production remained very low.     

康贝防治奶牛隐性乳房炎疗效观察及对乳汁体细胞数的影响

奶牛乳房炎的研究至今已有100多年的历史,虽然取得一些令人可喜的成果,但奶牛乳房炎仍是当今奶牛场的常发病和难以防治的疾病之一.特别是奶牛隐性乳房炎,由于无明显的临床症状,隐蔽性强,发病率高,主要影响奶牛泌乳量和乳汁的质量,造成严重损失,是影响世界乳业发展的重要因素之一.奶牛隐性乳房炎在我国发病率较高,据笔者调查表明,河北省部分地区奶牛隐性乳房炎发病率高,乳区阳性率为40.1%,头阳性率为68.45%,这与其他学者报道相符[1、2、3].自1945年抗生素应用到兽医临床上以来,奶牛乳房炎的防治有了重大突破.但是由于抗生素的滥用,致使病原抗药性增强,且高药物残留等问题一直是困扰兽医工作人员的难题.因此寻求一种高效、绿色、简便易行的防制奶牛隐性乳房炎的方法一直是兽医科技人员的研究热点.康贝是一种生物活性制剂,不含有任何激素及抗生素.本试验的目的在于试验研究康贝对奶牛隐性乳房炎的防治作用,试验包括康贝防治奶牛隐性乳房炎疗效观察、康贝对奶牛血液流变学指标的影响及康贝清除氧自由基试验等内容,现将康贝防治奶牛隐性乳房炎疗效及对乳汁体细胞的影响做一初报,其他内容另文发表.     

Bacteriology and somatic cell counts in milk samples from ewes on a Scottish farm

Milk samples from 50 sheep on a single Scottish research farm were collected weekly for 10 wk postpartum. Samples were analyzed for somatic cell counts (SCC) each week and bacteriologic culture was done for 7 of the 10 wk. A total of 492 udder half samples were cultured, of which 467 had corresponding cell count data. Statistical analysis on complete SCC and culture data showed no association between SCC and bacterial isolation, even when more than 10 colonies of a single bacterial species were present. Only 3.6% of the samples were simultaneously positive for high count (> 10 colonies from 0.01 mL of milk) of any one bacterial species and high SCC (> 1 x 10(6)/mL). The bacteria recovered were: Staphylococcus equorum (19 times), S. xylosus (7 times), S. simulans (6 times), Streptococcus uberis (3 times) and other streptococci (4 times), Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica (2 times), Staphylococcus aureus (1 time), S. capitis (1 time), and Enterococcus faecium (1 time). There was an association between the test day and SCC, with higher SCC values in the first 2 wk. In addition, significantly higher SCC values were found in the oldest animals compared to the other age groups.     

Experimental infection of lactating bovine mammary glands with Streptococcus uberis in quarters colonized by Corynebacterium bovis

Twenty-seven quarters of 18 lactating dairy cows were inoculated intramammarily with 3.6 X 10(4) colony-forming units (CFU) of a strain of Streptococcus uberis isolated from a cow with clinical mastitis. Before quarters were inoculated, 22 were considered as naturally colonized with Corynebacterium bovis, and 5 were considered bacteriologically negative. Streptococcus uberis was isolated from all quarters within 2 days after inoculation, and all quarters developed clinical mastitis by 3 days after inoculation. Mastitis was acute, and most cows had increased rectal temperatures. The number of somatic cells increased significantly (P less than 0.05), and milk production decreased significantly. In many cows, rectal temperatures remained increased, and Str uberis was isolated from infected glands after intramammary and systemic antimicrobial treatments were given. A decreased number (110 CFU) of the same strain of Str uberis caused equally severe mastitis in 3 quarters colonized with C bovis and in 1 bacteriologically negative quarter in 2 cows. Streptococcus uberis was isolated from all inoculated quarters, and all quarters developed clinical mastitis by 2 days after inoculation. Two quarters colonized with C bovis and 2 bacteriologically negative quarters were inoculated once with 25 CFU and once with 240 CFU of a different strain of Str uberis (ATCC 27958). Streptococcus uberis was never isolated from inoculated quarters, and changes in milk yield or number of somatic cells were not observed.     

A comparison of the effect of short-acting and long-acting cloxacillin-based dry-cow therapy on somatic cell counts after calving in cows also given internal teat sealants

AIM: To compare, in cows treated with an internal teat sealant, the effect of short-acting and long-acting cloxacillin-based dry-cow therapy on somatic cell counts (SCC) after calving.

METHODS: Cows from a spring-calving, pasture-based dairy farm in the Manawatu-Whanganui region of New Zealand were randomly allocated to receive either a short-acting cloxacillin and ampicillin dry-cow therapy and internal teat sealant (n=291) or a long-acting cloxacillin and ampicillin dry-cow therapy and internal teat sealant (n=288) at the end of lactation. Cows were managed on-farm with routine husbandry procedures through the dry period and following calving. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine the association between length of action of dry-cow therapy and the proportion of cows with a SCC >150,000?cells/mL at the first herd test after calving.

RESULTS: Age of cow, mean SCC for the preceding season and interval from calving to the first post-calving herd test were all associated with the proportion of cows with an individual SCC >150,000?cells/mL at the first herd test (p<0.001) Treatment with the short-acting dry-cow therapy was not associated with decreased odds of cows having a SCC >150,000?cells/mL at the first herd test compared with treatment with long-acting dry-cow therapy (OR=0.724; 95% CI=0.40–1.30).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In this herd, which routinely used internal teat sealants, the use of short-acting cloxacillin-based dry-cow therapy did not result in an increased proportion of cows with elevated SSC post-calving. This was a single farm, single year study but indicates that in this herd, changing from a long-acting to a short-acting antimicrobial may have no impact on the prevalence of subclinical mastitis.