Somatic cell counts: associated factors and relationship to production.

Factors affecting somatic cell counts and the association between somatic cell counts and milk production were evaluated. Data were collected from 748 Ontario Dairy Herd Improvement Corporation supervised herds that were on production and somatic cell count programs between April 1981 and March 1983. Two data files were created; one, the lactation summary file, contained one record per cow on each of 9406 Holsteins and the other, the test day file, included results of all tests during the complete lactation on each of the above cows. The latter file contained 85,236 records. Multiple curvilinear least squares regression was used to create five separate models. The dependent variables used in the models were natural logarithms (Loge) of the geometric mean of the somatic cell count for the lactation, 305 day milk production and breed class average for milk from the lactation summary file, and loge of the 24 hour somatic cell count and 24 hour milk production from the test day file. The somatic cell count at both the lactation and test day level increased with age up to approximately ten years and thereafter slowly decreased. The variable "days in milk" was not significantly associated with the lactation average somatic cell count. A curvilinear relationship was found between days in lactation at the time of test and the somatic cell count of 24 hour milk production. The somatic cell count increased until approximately 250 days in lactation and thereafter slowly decreased. It was found that the highest cell counts occurred in summer and the lowest in winter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Somatic cell counts in bovine milk: relationships to production and clinical episodes of mastitis.

The relationships between somatic cell counts, milk production and episodes of clinical mastitis were evaluated using data collected between 1979 and 1981 in 32 southern Ontario Holstein herds. Somatic cell counts were logarithmically transformed and the distribution of the resulting counts is presented. The seasonal pattern in cell counts was evaluated using a formal statistical procedure. Counts were lowest in the winter and spring and highest in the early fall but the differences amongst monthly geometric mean cell counts were small. Assuming a linear relationship between log somatic cell counts and test day milk production it was found that a unit increase in the log count resulted in a loss of 1.44 kg of milk. Regression analyses within specific log cell count ranges indicated that the previous estimate may underestimate losses at low cell counts and overestimate losses at higher cell counts. The relationships between cell counts and episodes of mild or acute clinical mastitis were evaluated by comparing counts preceding and following the clinical episodes to comparable counts in matched control cows. Mild cases of mastitis were preceded by higher cell counts than were found in control cows but the same phenomenon was not observed in acute cases of mastitis. Both mild and acute cases were followed by higher cell counts than were found in control cows.     

Differences in mastitis susceptibility between Holstein Friesian,Dutch Friesian and Dutch Red and White cows

Summary

On an experimental farm 3 dairy breeds were compared with regard to mastitis by various parameters.

Higher cell counts and more udder infections were present in the Dutch Red and White (DRW) in comparison with the Holstein Friesian (HF) and the Dutch Friesian (DF). Within the HF breed a negative correlation between cell count and production was established and also in this breed, a negative correlation between maximum rate of milk flow and cell count.

There is no evidence that higher procuction and easier milking are connected with more mastitis. On the contrary, within the breeds an opposite trend appeared. Selection against mastitis does not conflict with selection for production and ease of milking.

An addition trial revealed that sampling after too quick preparation of the cows before milking resulted in much higher cell counts in quarter samples.

Cows which were selected for drying off with antibiotics recovered from their infection but these more susceptible animals maintained a higher cell count to a certain extent.     

β-Lactoglobulin Phenotypes in Finnish Ayrshire and Friesian Cattle with Special Reference to Mastitis Indicators

An unselected material consisting of composite milk samples from 1029 Ayrshire and 113 Friesian cows were analysed for the β-lactoglobulin types. The frequencies of β-Lg types were AA 8.3 %, AB 45.5% and BB 46.3 % for Ayrshire cows and 22.1 %, 45.1 % and 32.8 % for Friesian cows, respectively. The relationship between β-Lg type with milk BSA, somatic cell count, protein percentage, fat percentage and milk production were analysed. AA cows were significantly higher in daily milk yield but lower in protein percentage and fat percentage than BB cows; AB types were intermediate. The annual production was highest in AB-animals. There was a tendency for AA cows to have high somatic cell counts but low milk BSA concentrations.β-lactoglobulins; milk BSA; somatic cell count; bovine mastitis; bovine milk; milk proteins.     

Relationship between test-day measures of somatic cell count and milk production in California dairy cows.

The relationship between test-day measures of milk somatic cell count and milk yield was evaluated using the November 1985 test data from 8352 Holstein cattle (2923 primiparous and 5429 multiparous cows) located in ten Tulare County, California dairies. Following correction for herd and stage of lactation effects, design variable regression was used to create separate models for primiparous and multiparous cows predicting the changes in milk production associated with milk somatic cell count class. Cell counts were stratified by 1/2 loge cell count (x1000 cells/mL) units, permitting comparisons with previous studies. Cell counts less than 148,000/mL were not found to be associated with significant reductions in milk yield when compared to the reference class (cell counts less than 20,000/mL). Consistent incremental decreases in milk production were not noted with increasing cell count strata, even following the natural log transformation. The most dramatic production losses were noted in the range of 148,000 to 665,000 cells/mL. Primiparous cattle in the 403,000 to 665,000 cell count strata experienced a 5.22 kg (19.72%) decrease in test-day milk yield. Multiparous cattle in the same class experienced 3.01 kg (7.82%) reductions in milk production. Primiparous and multiparous cows had similar production losses. The study population differed from previous studies on the basis of herd size, milk production and the level of udder health, measured by milk somatic cell count. These differences and the choice of experimental design may in part explain differences in study results and conclusions.     

The contribution of mammary infections by coagulase-negative staphylococci to the herd bulk milk somatic cell count

Quarter foremilk samples were taken at 2–3 weekly intervals for several years in a experimental herd comprising about 45 cows. The samples were submitted to bacteriological analysis and somatic cell counting. The most prevalent quarter infections from 1982 to 1988 were by coagulase-negative staphylococci (15–20% of all the quarters sampled). Most of these (75.6%) persisted until drying-off Dry cow therapy eliminated 86.5% of these infections. Comparison of udder quarters within cows, involving 775 samples from pairs of non-infected quarters and quarters infected by coagulase-negative staphylococci, yielded geometric means of somatic cell counts of 210 000 and 420 000 cells/ml, respectively. The correlation (r=0.87) between the herd bulk milk somatic cell count (SCC) and its estimation from the quarter milk somatic cell count performed on the same day allowed us to evaluate the contribution of the different categories of quarters, according to their infection status, to the herd bulk milk SCC. Quarters infected by a major pathogen (8.5% of samples) gave rise to 46.6% of the total number of cells, while quarters infected by coagulase-negative staphylococci (17.8% of samples) gave rise to 18.1%. Although coagulase-negative staphylococci represented only a secondary source of somatic cells as compared to major pathogens, they were not a negligible source considering the threshold of 300 000 somatic cells advocated for herd milk of good quality.     

Mastitis of sheep and goats.

This article presents an overview of the recent research into ovine and caprine mastitis. The common clinical presentations of mastitis in these species are reviewed, as are the important etiologic agents and their significance. The interpretation of somatic cell counts and surrogate tests, factors that affect somatic cell count levels, and association of somatic cell count levels with productivity are reviewed. Investigations into the treatment and prevention of mastitis and milking equipment function are discussed, and comments are made on the public health implications of extra label drug use and the consumption of unpasteurized milk.     

Relationship between milk production and somatic cell count in dairy cows in East Gippsland

SUMMARY The analysis of records for 75 821 herd tests on 23 700 cows in the Macalister Irrigation District of East Gippsland, using a model that also included stage of lactation, herd and cow effects, found a strong relationship between somatic cell count and milk production. Unit increases in the natural logarithm of the somatic cell count were associated with decreases in production of up to 2.6% in the range 54 598 to 403 429 cells per mL. This is equivalent to a decrease of 1.9% for a doubling of cell count from 100 000 to 200 000 cells per mL. Subclinical mastitis was assessed to be a significant source of loss in milk production in the study area.     

Somatic cell count and milk yield in relation to haemoglobin concentration in Finnish dairy goats

Using 400 Finnish goats, the relationship between haemoglobin concentration and somatic cell counts and milk yield was studied. On the basis of haemoglobin concentration the goats were divided into two groups (> or < 5.6 mmol. l^–1). Goats with high haemoglobin concentrations had a markedly higher milk yield and the milk had a lower somatic cell count. In contrast, goats with low haemoglobin concentration (< 5.6 mmol. l^–1) had lower milk yields but higher cell counts. The results showed a negative correlation between the cell counts and the haemoglobin concentration.     

Housing of Norwegian goat herds and associations with milk yield and milk quality

Abstract

Data from a questionnaire regarding housing factors were merged with data from the milk recording databases (herd mean annual milk yield per goat, somatic cell count (SCC) and bulk milk bacterial count), and the material included 235 herds. Associations with housing factors were tested at herd level and at individual goat level. Housing in insulated buildings with no access to outdoor areas during the winter season, expanded metal grating and no use of bedding predominated. None of the housing factors evaluated were significantly associated with milk yield. In herds using water nipples, SCC was lower compared to herds using water bowls. SCC was also lower in herds with milking facilities in separate milking stalls as compared with combined feeding milking stalls in common pens. No significant associations were found between housing factors and bacterial counts, but the counts were lower in herds with high average milk yields per goat.     

Microbiologic investigation of an epizootic of mastitis caused by Serratia marcescens in a dairy herd.

An epizootic of subclinical and clinical mastitis caused by Serratia marcescens was investigated in a 1,000-cow dairy farm in California. Serratia marcescens was isolated from 13 to 18% of composite milk samples obtained from lactating dairy cows. During monthly milk sampling performed during a 4-month period, S marcescens was isolated from 38.8 to 62.3% of composite milk samples obtained from cows from which S marcescens was previously isolated. Few cows infected with S marcescens had evidence of clinical mastitis. Somatic cell count value was associated with isolation of S marcescens. Cows with somatic cell counts greater than 500,000 were 5.48 times as likely to have intramammary infections with S marcescens, compared with cows with somatic cell count less than or equal to 500,000. Lactation number also was associated with S marcescens intramammary infection. After adjusting for the effect of lactation number, cows with high somatic cell count values were 2.98 times as likely to have intramammary infection with S marcescens, compared with cows with low somatic cell counts. Infection with S marcescens was independent of days in lactation, production string, and daily milk production. Eleven months after the beginning of the epizootic, S marcescens was isolated from organic bedding samples obtained from the dairy. Despite numerous attempts, other sources of S marcescens could not be identified on this dairy.     

复合菌培养物对奶牛产奶性能及体细胞数的影响

试验旨在研究日粮中添加复合菌培养物对奶牛产奶量、乳品质和体细胞数的影响。选择30头荷斯坦奶牛,分为对照组和试验组,对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组在基础日粮中添加复合菌培养物400 g/(头·d),试验期为37 d。测定指标包括产奶量、乳脂率、乳蛋白率及体细胞数。结果表明,试验组奶牛产奶量比对照组增加6.84%(P>0.05);乳汁体细胞数下降率比对照组提高29.78%(P<0.05);两组奶牛乳脂、乳蛋白之间无明显差异(P>0.05)。本试验结果表明,复合菌培养物在降低体细胞数和改善奶牛产奶性能方面具有良好的效果。     

Potential of differential somatic cell counts as indicators of mastitis in quarter milk samples from dairy cows

Bacteriological status, somatic cell counts and proportions of lymphocytes, granulocytes and monocytes were determined in 1,659 quarter milk samples from 39 dairy cows. Discriminant analysis was performed in order to assess the ability of total and differential somatic cell counts and combinations of total somatic cell count and each of the differential cell counts, to discriminate between infected and pathogen-free quarters, as well as between quarters infected with minor pathogens and quarters infected with major pathogens. Total somatic cell count classified 82.9% of all quarters correctly with respect to bacteriological status. Differential somatic cell count was less effective than total somatic cell count in discriminating between infected and pathogen-free quarters, as well as between quarters infected with minor vs. major pathogens. Combination of total and differential somatic cell counts did not improve the rate of correctly classified quarters. Inclusion of demographic data into the discriminant function increased the number of quarters correctly classified, mainly through an increase in the proportion of correctly classified infected quarters.     

Effects of intramammary infection and parity on calf weaning weight and milk quality in beef cows

The objectives of this study were to determine 1) the effect of intramammary infection on calf weaning weight, milk somatic cell count, and milk composition, and 2) the effect of parity on percentages of infected cows, infected quarters, and blind quarters. The number of infected quarters, milk somatic cell counts, milk components, and intramammary infection were studied at weaning in 164 beef cows. The percentage of infected cows ranged from 61.9% at first parity to 66.7% at fifth to ninth parities. Cows with three or four infected quarters had higher (P < .01) milk somatic cell counts than cows with zero, one, or two infected quarters. Among bacterial isolates, Staphylococcus aureus-infected quarters had the highest (P < .01) milk somatic cell count. Percentages of butterfat and lactose were lower (P < .01) in milk from infected quarters than from uninfected quarters. Infections by S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most common and accounted for 67 to 78% of the infections. Percentages of infected quarters and infections caused by S. aureus increased with parity (P < .01). Intramammary infections did not affect (P > .10) calf weaning weight. In conclusion, intramammary infection had no effect on calf weaning weight but increased milk somatic cell count and decreased the percentage of protein, lactose, solids-not-fat, and butterfat. The number of infected and blind mammary quarters increased with parity.     

奶牛性控和常规冻精生产的F1代母牛产奶量和乳品质对比试验

从试验牛母亲人工授精开始,到试验牛第一个泌乳期结束,在所有条件相同的情况下,对性控和常规冻精生产的F1代母牛的泌乳量、乳脂率、乳蛋白率和体细胞数进行了比较,结果表明,性控冻精生产F1代母牛与同期常规冻精生产的F1代月产奶量和305d的产奶量,以及月平均和305d的平均乳脂率、乳蛋白率和体细胞数差异不显著(P>0.05);305d产奶量、平均乳脂率、乳蛋白率和体细胞数分别为9 419.64和9 494.44、3.62和3.62、3.15和3.18、40.64和41.70。说明性控冻精生产的F1代母牛与常规冻精生产的后代相比,泌乳性能未见异常。     

Seasonal variation of bulk milk somatic cell counts in UK dairy herds: investigations of the summer rise

Individual cow somatic cell count (SCC) patterns were explored over a one year period in 33 dairy herds to investigate the reason for a summer rise in bulk milk somatic cell counts (BMSCC). Cow test day somatic cell counts were categorised according to the magnitude of change since the previous test day reading, to examine which categories were responsible for the summer increase. Multilevel models using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods were specified to estimate the number of somatic cells/ml produced by different cell count categories. Stage of lactation and parity were accounted for in the models. There was an increase in the proportion of cows that remained above 200,000 cells/ml for two consecutive recordings in summer and this group of cows were responsible for 70.8% of the increase in somatic cells/ml produced from May to September compared with October to March. There was no evidence that a greater new infection rate (somatic cell counts moving from below 100,000 cells/ml to over 200,000 cells/ml) contributed to the increased summer bulk milk somatic cell counts. There was no indication that a general small increase in all somatic cell counts played an important role in the increased summer somatic cell counts. Markov chain Monte Carlo methods provided a valuable and flexible platform for parameter estimation in reasonably complex multilevel models.     

玉屏风散对奶牛产奶量及体细胞数的影响

本试验选取玉屏风散,通过检测产奶量与体细胞数的变化,分析其对奶牛产奶量及体细胞数的影响,确定其在奶牛生产中发挥的作用。结果表明,玉屏风散能显著提高产奶量,降低体细胞数,达到了防病保健作用。     

Somatic cells count in cow's bulk tank milk

The objective of this study was therefore to present factors affecting somatic cell counts in bovine bulk milk as a result of intramammary infections as well as non-infectious factors. The paper presents also the impact of on-farm management practices on the level of bulk milk somatic cell counts and presents quality indicators in bulk tank milk. At the farm level bulk milk bacterial infection takes place through three main sources: bacterial contamination from the external surface of the udder and teats, from the surface of the milking equipment, and from mastitis microorganisms within the udder. The threshold of 200,000 cells/ml identifies bacteriological negative quarters of the udder. The counts of mammary pathogens in bulk tank milk are relatively low, on average not exceeding 1,000 cfu/ml. Environmental pathogens predominate in bulk tank milk samples with somatic cells count <300 × 10(3) ml.     

Genotype x environment interactions in milk yield and quality in Angus, Brahman, and reciprocal-cross cows on different forage systems

Milk yield and quality were observed on 93 Angus, Brahman, and reciprocal-cross cows over 3 yr to evaluate the interactions of direct and maternal breed effects and heterosis with forage environment. Forage environments were common bermudagrass (BG), endophyte-infected tall fescue (E+), and a rotational system (ROT) of both forages, in which each forage (BG or E+) was grazed during its appropriate season, usually June through October for BG and November through May for E+. Milk yield was estimated each of 6 mo (April through September) via milking machine and converted to a 24-h basis. Milk fat, milk protein, and somatic cell count were analyzed by a commercial laboratory. Heterosis for milk yield was similar among forages, averaging 2.4 kg (P < 0.01). Expressed as percentages of purebred means, heterosis for milk yield was largest on E+ (52.8%), intermediate on ROT (39.3%), and smallest on BG (23.7%). Direct breed effects for milk yield favored Brahman, and they were similar among forages but tended to be larger for E+ (2.5 kg) and ROT (2.8 kg) than for BG (1.3 kg). Direct breed effects for milk fat favored Brahman and were similar among forages but tended to be larger for E+ (1.0%) and ROT (1.0%) than for BG (0.6%). Purebred cows exceeded crossbreds in milk protein by 0.1% on ROT (P < 0.10). Crossbred cows had lower somatic cell counts than purebreds on BG (P < 0.05), E+ (P < 0.01), or ROT (P > 0.30). Heterosis for somatic cell counts as percentages of purebred means was similar for BG (-68.3%) and E+ (-68.9%) and less favorable for ROT (-31.6%). Maternal breed effects for somatic cell count favored Angus on ROT (P < 0.10) with a similar nonsignificant trend on BG and E+. Direct breed effects for somatic cell count favored Brahman on ROT (P < 0.10) with similar nonsignificant trends on BG and E+. These results suggested that a rotation of cows from E+ to BG in the summer can partially alleviate negative effects of E+ on milk yield. Conclusions also indicated an advantage to crossbred cows in somatic cell count and provided evidence of both direct and maternal breed effects for this trait. The results also suggested that direct breed effects for milk yield, milk fat, and somatic cell count and heterosis for milk yield and somatic cell count (as percentages of purebred means) tended to vary with forage environment, indicating a potential for genotype x environment interaction for these traits.     

Normal somatic cell count and subclinical mastitis in Murrah buffaloes

This study was conducted to investigate the normal somatic cell count (SCC) and to define subclinical mastitis in Murrah buffaloes. Data were collected from 60 clinically normal buffaloes stationed at five farms of Chitwan Nepal and Buffalo Research Center, Hissar, India. Somatic cell count was measured using the Newman-Lampert staining technique. The upper limit of SCC was determined >or=200 000/ml of milk based on the mean +/- 2SD of a total SCC. Abnormal data of the SCC was repeatedly removed, which lie beyond the values of more than mean + 2SD until all the data come to lie within (mean + 2SD). Averages of SCC of right front and right hind quarters were significantly higher than left front and left hind quarters. Nearly 94% of California mastitis test (CMT) negative quarters were having somatic cells >or=200 000/ml. The mean SCC of CMT positive quarter was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than CMT negative quarters. Subclinical mastitis was diagnosed on the basis of samples with SCCs >or=200 000/ml with positive bacterial cultures. Subclinical mastitis was found in 21.7% buffaloes and 8% of the quarter foremilk samples. Neutrophil counts were significantly higher in subclinical mastitis milk.