Near infrared spectroscopy for biomonitoring: cow milk composition measurement in a spectral region from 1,100 to 2,400 nanometers

The potential of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS; 1,100 to 2,400 nm) to measure fat, total protein, and lactose content of nonhomogenized milk during milking and the influence of individual characteristics of each cow's milk on the accuracy of determination were studied. Milk fractions were taken during milking, twice per month, for 6 mo. Samples were taken every 2nd and 4th wk at the morning and the evening milkings. Teatcups were removed at each 3 L of milk yield as determined with a fractional sampling milk meter. A total of 260 milk samples were collected and analyzed with an NIRSystem 6500 spectrophotometer with 1-mm sample thickness. Partial least squares (PLS) regression was used to develop calibration models for the examined milk components. The comparison with the reference method was based on standard error of cross validation (SECV). The obtained SECV varied from .107 to .138% for fat content, from .092 to .125% for total protein, and from .066 to .096% for lactose content, and the accuracy of the reference method (AOAC, 1990, method No 972.16) was .05% for all measured milk components. The obtained models had lower SECV when an individual cow's spectral data were used for calibration. The reduction of SECV for each cow's individual calibration, when compared with SECV for the set of all samples, differed with the different constituents. For fat content determination, the reduction reached 22.46%, for protein 26.40%, and for lactose 31.25%. This phenomena was investigated and explained by principle component analysis (PCA) and by comparing loading of PLS factors that account for the most spectral variations for each cow and the measured milk components, respectively. The results of this study indicated that NIRS (1,100 to 2,500 nm, 1-mm sample thickness) was satisfactory for nonhomogenized milk compositional analysis of milk fractions taken in the process of milking.     

饲料添加剂L-赖氨酸硫酸盐中L-赖氨酸含量近红外速测方法研究

为了探讨利用近红外漫反射光谱技术(NIDRS)快速定量分析饲料添加剂L-赖氨酸硫酸盐中L-赖氨酸含量的可行性,本试验在全国范围内收集了具有代表性的L-赖氨酸硫酸盐添加剂76个,采用国家标准方法对样品中的L-赖氨酸含量进行化学赋值;用光栅型近红外光谱仪扫描L-赖氨酸硫酸盐样品,获取了不同物理状态下样品的近红外光谱图。依据L-赖氨酸含量将样品分为定标集和验证集,运用适当的光谱预处理方法,采用竞争性自适应重加权(CARS)算法结合偏最小二乘法(PLS)建立了L-赖氨酸硫酸盐的近红外定标分析模型,并将该模型与全波长模型进行了比较。结果表明:用烘干、60目粉碎后的样品结合CARS算法建立的定标模型最优,定标集校正决定系数(R2C)为0.954,校正集标准偏差(SEC)为0.510,交互验证标准偏差(SECV)为0.659;验证集预测决定系数(R2P)为0.952,预测标准偏差(SEP)为0.554,相对分析误差(RPD)值为3.83。由此可见,NIDRS定量分析L-赖氨酸硫酸盐具有一定可行性,对于丰富我国氨基酸盐及其他氨基酸制品的快速检测方法具有实际的应用意义。     

检测燕麦干草主要营养成分含量的近红外光谱分析模型

为探索NIRS技术在测定燕麦(Avena sative)干草品质上的应用,试验于2020—2021年收集了249份不同品种、年限和生长时期的燕麦干草,通过WinISI III定标软件建立燕麦干草主要营养成分的近红外光谱模型。结果显示：粗蛋白(CP)、中性洗涤纤维(NDF)和粗脂肪(EE)预测模型的定标系数(RSQ)和外部验证决定系数(RSQv)均在0.83以上,校正标准误(SEC)、交叉验证误差(SECV)和预测标准误差(RMSEP)均小于0.02,相对标准误差(RPD)均大于3,预测值逼近化学分析的精度具有良好的预测效果。酸性洗涤纤维含量(ADF)建模效果较差,定标系数和外部验证决定系数分别为0.83和0.84,校正标准误(SEC)、交叉验证误差(SECV)和预测标准误差(RMSEP)均小于0.01,接近化学分析精度,且RPD大于2.50。因此,所建ADF模型也可用于近红外预测。     

近红外光谱法测定DDGS中粗蛋白含量的试验研究

试验建立DDGS粗蛋白含量测定的近红外光谱分析定标模型。采用化学分析法测定72个DDGS样品中的粗蛋白含量,利用FOSS InfraXact型近红外光谱分析仪采集样品光谱,光谱经2,4,4,1导数和标准正常化+散射处理(SNV+Detrend),用改进最小二乘法(MPLS)回归,获得了较好的定标模型,校正决定系数(RSQ)、交叉验证决定系数(1-VR)、校正标准误差(SEC)、交叉验证标准误差(SECV)分别为0.982 5、0.932 8、0.266 2、0.389 5。利用30个验证集的DDGS样品进行外部检验,预测值与真实值之间差异不显著(P>0.05)。结果表明,定标模型的预测性能较好,可以替代化学分析法快速测定DDGS中的粗蛋白含量。     

建立近红外特征波长模型快速测定羊草常规营养成分的研究

本研究采用近红外光谱法快速测定羊草（Leymus chinensis）中的常规营养成分,利用无信息变量消除法（unknown variable elimination,UVE）、随机蛙算法（random frog algorithm,RF）结合偏最小二乘法（partial least squares,PLS）建立了羊草品质测定模型,有效降低了冗余无信息变量,提高了模型的测量精度和稳定性。研究发现利用UVE-PLS筛选建立的羊草品质测定模型优于全光谱PLS和RF-PLS筛选建立的模型;UVE-PLS模型显著降低了交叉验证均方根误差和预测均方根误差,提高了校正集决定系数、交叉验证决定系数及预测集决定系数。研究表明UVE-PLS模型在测定羊草中的水分、粗蛋白、酸性洗涤纤维和中性洗涤纤维是可行的,校正集决定系数和预测集决定系数95%~98%。     

The interrelationships between milkability traits and subclinical mastitis in cows

The investigation was conducted during 2005-2006 on 4010 dairy cows. Having performed statistical data analysis, we determined that the lowest somatic cell count (SCC) in Red and Red-White cow population was obtained when the milking time was 5-6 min., milking speed was higher than 1.5 kg/min., high milk flow was from 2.51 to 4 kg/min., and in Black-White cow population having a milking time was higher than 7 min., milking speed was from 1.01 to 2 kg/min., a high milk flow --from 2.01 to 4 kg/min. (p<0.001). In Red and Red-White cow population with subclinical mastitis, milking time was longer and milking speed was slower than in healthy cows. High milk flow values were least in healthy Black-White cow population. This determines a more equal milk flow which is desired in milking cows mechanically. Most sensitive to udder infection are 1st lactation cows which have a higher milk flow. A larger phenotype correlation coefficient in Red and Red-White cow population was between the SCC and milking time (-0.089, p<0.01) and between high milk flow (0.086, p<0.01) and milk yield (-0.071, p<0.05). However in Black-White cow population, correlation was found between SCC and milk yield (-0.117, p<0.01) and milking speed (-0.110, p<0.01). Contagious mastitis pathogens were identified in Red and Red-White cow milk samples primarily from productive cows having a milking speed of 1.01-1.5 kg/min., and in Black-White cow population having a milking speed of 1.51-2.0 kg/min.     

Development of cell content and shedding of Prototheca spp. in milk from infected udder quarters of cows

It was the objective of this study to analyse shedding patterns and somatic cell counts in cows and quarters infected with Prototheca spp. and to evaluate two approaches to identify infected animals by somatic cell count (SCC) or by bacteriological analysis of pooled milk samples. Five lactating dairy cows, chronically infected with Prototheca spp. in at least one quarter were studied over 11 weeks to 13 months. Quarter milk samples and a pooled milk sample from 4 quarters were collected aseptically from all quarters of the cows on a weekly basis. Culture results of quarter milk and pooled samples were compared using cross tabulation. SCC of quarter milk samples and of pooled samples were related to the probability of detection in the infected quarters and cows, respectively. Shedding of Prototheca spp. was continuous in 2 of 8 quarters. In the other quarters negative samples were obtained sporadically or over a longer period (1 quarter). Overall, Prototheca spp. were isolated from 83.6% of quarter milk samples and 77.0% of pooled milk samples of infected quarters and cows. Somatic cell counts were higher in those samples from infected quarters that contained the algae than in negative samples (p < 0.0001). The same applied for composite samples from infected cows. Positive samples had higher SCC than negative samples. However, Prototheca spp. were also isolated from quarter milk and pooled samples with physiological SCC (i.e. < 10(5)/ml). Infected quarters that were dried off did not develop acute mastitis. However, drying off had no effect on the infection, i.e. samples collected at calving or 8 weeks after dry off still contained Prototheca spp. Results indicate that pre-selection of cows to be sampled for Prototheca spp. by SCC and the use of composite samples are probably inadequate in attempts to eradicate the disease. However, due to intermittent shedding of the algae in some cows, single herd sampling using quarter milk samples probably also fails to detect all infected cases. Therefore, continuous monitoring of problem cows with clinical mastitis or increased SCC in herds during eradication programs is recommended.     

Fecal Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy to Predict Leymus chinensis of Diets From Penned Sheep in North China

Selective foraging among free-ranging herbivores can make measuring botanical composition of diets challenging. Using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) on feces for predicting botanical components of individual animal diets is a novel method for studying diet selection. This study was conducted to determine the ability of fecal NIRS to predict the percentage of consumption of Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvel., a dominant species in north China, by sheep (Ovis aries L.). The calibration data set consisted of 47 diets of known L. chinensis composition, paired with corresponding fecal spectra. These pairs were generated in a trial using restricted feeding. Validation pairs (n = 9) were collected in a similar trial that used ad libitum feeding. Derived coefficients of determination (R²) and standard error of calibration were 0.99% and 2.2% for partial least squares (PLS) regression and 0.89% and 7.3% for stepwise regression, respectively. Derived coefficients of determination (r²) and standard error of prediction were 0.78% and 4.8% for PLS regression and 0.90% and 3.2% for stepwise regression, respectively. PLS regression resulted in better calibration than stepwise regression, but when the calibration data set was small, stepwise regression improved the precision and accuracy of predictions compared with the PLS regression. Results of the present study show that a fecal NIRS equation developed from a restricted feeding trial could be used to predict the percentage of L. chinensis in fecal materials collected from voluntary feeding trials.     

Association of endometritis and ovarian follicular cyst with mastitis in dairy cows

The occurrence of multiple metabolic and inflammatory diseases in dairy cows is higher during the periparturient period, which may be triggered by bacterial components, but not a viable bacterium. This study aimed to determine the association of endometritis and ovarian follicular cyst (OFC) with mastitis in dairy cows. Ninety-eight Holstein dairy cows were clinically examined for endometritis and OFC approximately 30–50 days after calving. Blood and milk samples were collected for the determination of milk somatic cell count (SCC); milk interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) concentrations; and plasma haptoglobin (Hp) and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) concentrations. Of the 98 dairy cows included in this study, 12 were diagnosed with endometritis and 37 cows were identified as OFC-positive, whereas the remaining 49 cows were healthy (without endometritis or OFC). The average and maximum SCCs and plasma Hp and LBP concentrations were not significantly different between the healthy cows and those with endometritis or OFC. However, when the maximum SCC was classified as <300, 300–1,000, or >1,000 × 10³ cells/ml, the percentage of cows with the maximum SCC <300 × 10³ cells/ml was significantly lower in the endometritis and OFC-positive groups than in the healthy group. These results suggested that cows with endometritis and OFC during the postpartum period exhibit high SCC, indicating that some bacterial components can be transferred between organs.     

利福昔明乳房注入剂(干乳期)对奶牛的安全性研究

研究利福昔明乳房注入剂(干乳期)对健康奶牛的正常体温、日产奶量、奶中体细胞数和乳房内菌群的影响。选择健康泌乳期奶牛12头,给药前1 d和给药前0 d,统计记录各试验奶牛的直肠温度、日产奶量,检测每个乳区采集奶样的体细胞数,并对给药前0 d的奶样进行病原菌分离检测。每头入选奶牛的四个乳区分别单次灌注利福昔明乳房注入剂,在给药后的第1、3、5、7、10天分别记录每头奶牛的日产奶量;在给药后的第12小时、3、5、7、10天分别采集奶样进行体细胞检测,同时检查直肠温度;在给药后的第10天对采集的奶样进行病原菌检测。比较奶牛用药前后直肠温度、日产奶量、奶中体细胞数和病原菌的变化。试验期间对给药奶牛进行连续观察,记录奶牛是否出现红、肿、热、痛等临床症状。结果表明。给药前1 d、给药当天和最后一次给药后的第1、3、5、7、10天,试验奶牛的日产奶量平均值分别为30.5、30.3、29.8、30.3、30.0、30.9和31.0 kg,相互之间无显著性差异(P>0.05);给药前后各时间点采集的奶中体细胞数大都维持在30~50万/mL;给药前后各时间点测得的奶牛直肠温度无显著性差异(P>0.05);病原菌检测结果显示,在给药前0 d分离到7株大肠杆菌、6株链球菌和9株葡萄球菌,给药后第10天采集的奶样中未检测到大肠杆菌和葡萄球菌,仅检测到1株链球菌。与给药前相比,奶中的病原菌数量有所减少,无新增感染。利福昔明乳房注入剂(干乳期)对奶牛正常体温、产奶量、奶中体细胞数无不良影响,该制剂对于奶牛是安全的。     

Quarter Milking for Improved Detection of Increased SCC

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether milk composition and milk yield are changed in relation to a moderate increase in milk somatic cell count (SCC) in separate udder quarters. During a period of 13 weeks, 4158 bulk quarter milk samples from 68 cows were collected and analysed for milk SCC and milk composition. The sampling was done twice weekly. The cows were in different stages of lactation and in different lactation numbers. For calculations, three groups of cows were formed according to their SCC value. Group 1 cows, where all quarters had an SCC <100,000 cells/ml at all sampling occasions, were considered to be non-affected. Group 2 cows had one udder quarter with an increased SCC >100,000 cells/ml and 1.5-fold higher than the opposite quarter at one sampling occasion. For group 3 cows, the increase in SCC remained for several consecutive sampling occasions. Data from group 1 cows revealed that front and rear quarters were similar when compared with each other. For group 3 cows, the lactose content in milk decreased significantly, simultaneously with the increase in SCC and remained decreased for two sampling occasions after the initial increase in SCC. It was concluded that deviations in lactose content within front and rear quarters, respectively, may be a useful tool for detection of moderately increased SCC in separate udder quarters.     

Correlations among the somatic cell count of individual bulk milk, result of the California Mastitis Test and bacteriological status of the udder in dairy cows

In a survey of about 3000 dairy cows producing low somatic cell count (SCC) milk and kept on a large-scale dairy farm, California Mastitis Test (CMT) positivity was found in 2714 udder quarters of 1491 cows. Pathogenic microorganisms were isolated from 57.6% of these 2714 udder quarters during bacteriological examination. The commonest pathogens were coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS, 41%) and Staphylococcus aureus (32.5%); however, udder infections caused by environmental streptococci (12.8%) and coliform bacteria (6.8%) were also common. All pathogens resulted in a significant increase of the SCC in individual bulk milk (IBM) samples. In the case of CNS, this SCC elevation in IBM was significantly lower than in the case of infection by the other pathogens. In spite of this, because of the high number of udder infections caused by CNS, the adverse effect exerted by CNS on dairy herds is considered to be substantial. It was found that 54.6% of all CMT-positive cows produced IBM of an SCC below 400 thousand per ml. The milk produced by 41% of the 315 cows excreting S. aureus also had an SCC below 400 thousand per ml. This poses a serious risk of infection to the healthy herdmates. At the same time, 11% of the infected cows produced IBM with an SCC below 100 thousand per ml. On the basis of these findings, only the regular analysis of SCC of IBM can be a reliable indicator of chronic intramammary infection. As the SCC of milk produced by CMT-positive cows (and especially of those excreting pathogens) tended to increase with advancing lactation, the authors suggest that an efficient drying-off therapy should be used to restore udder health and, whenever justified, culling of cows cannot be avoided either.     

Reliability in somatic cell count measurement of clinical mastitis milk using DeLaval cell counter

Somatic cell counts (SCC) measurements are typically performed using quantitative methods, such as the Breed method (Breed) and the Fossomatic method (FSCC). The DeLaval cell counter (DCC) developed recently is a quantitative somatic cell counter with a low initial cost and superior portability. However, since the DCC was specifically developed for measuring SCC of ≤ 4 × 10⁶ cells/mL milk from bulk tanks or individual cows, its reliability for estimating SCC that exceed this concentration has not yet been clarified. This study therefore examined whether it is possible to accurately measure SCC by diluting milk samples with initial SCC of 4 × 10⁶ cells/mL, as seen in clinical mastitis milk. We collected milk samples from 99 quarters of 99 Holstein cows with clinical mastitis. These milk samples were diluted 10‐fold with saline and thoroughly mixed before performing SCC measurement with the DCC. The correlation coefficients of SCC measured by the FSCC, Breed and DCC methods indicated strong correlations between each pair of methods. The findings showed that DCC can be used to identify bovine clinical mastitis milk and is useful as a quantitative SCC measurement device on farm sites.     

Acute phase proteins in the diagnosis of bovine subclinical mastitis

Background: The California mastitis test (CMT) and somatic cell count (SCC) are commonly used for diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in cattle. Acute phase proteins (APPs), as alternative biomarkers of mastitis, may increase in concentration in the absence of macroscopic changes in the milk, or may precede the onset of clinical signs. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of APPs measured in milk and in serum with bacterial culture for the diagnosis of bovine subclinical mastitis. Methods: One hundred and seventy‐five Holstein cows were randomly selected from 7 dairy farms. Quarter milk and serum samples were taken from all cows. Milk samples were analyzed using a CMT and SCC, and for haptoglobin (MHp) and amyloid A (MAA) concentrations, and were also submitted for bacterial culture. Serum samples obtained concurrently were analyzed for haptoglobin (SHp) and amyloid A (SAA). Two‐sample Wilcoxon (Mann–Whitney) test was used to compare SCC, MAA, MHp, SAA, and SHp concentrations between culture‐positive and culture‐negative animals. Receiver‐operating characteristic analysis was used to assess the performance of each test using bacterial culture as the reference method. Results: MAA concentration was the most accurate of the 5 tests, with a sensitivity of 90.6% and specificity of 98.3% at concentrations >16.4 mg/L. MAA and MHp had significantly larger areas under the curve than the respective serum proteins, SAA and SHp. Conclusions: The results suggest that measuring haptoglobin and amyloid A in milk is more accurate than serum analysis for the diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in Holstein cows.     

Transport stress increases somatic cell counts in milk, and enhances the migration capacity of peripheral blood neutrophils of dairy cows

The present study was designed to determine the effects of physiological stress on milk-somatic cell counts (SCC) and function of bovine peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL). Nine healthy lactating cows were used in the examination. Five cows were transported 100 km for 4 hr (transported group; TG), and 4 cows were penned (non-transported group; NTG). Blood and milk samples were collected at 0, 2, and 4 hr after loading, and at 2 hr, and 1, 2, 3, and 6 days after unloading. The following activities were measured: adhesion receptor (CD 18 and L-selectin) expression of neutrophils and monocytes, migration capacity and percentage of apoptotic cells of neutrophils, serum soluble L-selectin (sL-selectin), plasma cortisol, and SCC. A significant increase in plasma cortisol and milk SCC was observed in TG. Leukocytosis, derived from neutrophils was recorded in TG, and was indicated by apoptotic measurement as an increase of young cells from the marginal pool. Increased migration and decreased surface expression of both L-selectin and CD 18 in neutrophils were observed after transportation. Elevated serum sL-selectin was also noted as a result of transportation. The present study indicated that transport stress modulates peripheral blood neutrophil function, particularly enhancing migration capacity, and causes diapedesis across the mammary epithelium. Increased milk SCC in transported cattle might be due to these phenomena, and severe physiological stress may bring about an increase in SCC in milk.     

2018年天津市原料奶细菌总数、体细胞数及奶牛乳房炎病原菌、耐药基因调研报告

本研究旨在调查天津市原料奶细菌总数、体细胞数及乳房炎病原菌、耐药基因,了解全市原料奶的质量状况及引起奶牛乳房炎发生的主要原因。采集天津市5家乳品加工企业奶罐车的原料奶样品,用于检测体细胞数和菌落总数;采集天津市奶牛养殖场储奶罐奶样品,用于检测体细胞数;采集奶牛场临床型乳房炎发病乳区的牛奶样品,用于检测乳房炎病原菌及耐药基因。结果显示:2018年天津市乳品加工企业原料奶体细胞数平均值为44.65万/mL,标准差42.41万/mL,变异系数94.97%,最大值为225.50万/mL,最小值为1.20万/mL,SCC≤50万/mL的样品占74.37%,50万/mL200万/mL的样品占3.13%;细菌总数平均值11.54万CFU/mL,标准差26.28万CFU/mL,变异系数227.66%,最大值190.00万CFU/mL,最小值0.095万CFU/mL,细菌总数≤10万CFU/mL的样品占74.37%,10万CFU<细菌总数≤50万CFU/mL的样品占21.25%,50万CFU<细菌总数≤100万CFU/mL的样品占1.88%,100万CFU/mL<细菌总数≤200万CFU/mL的样品占2.50%。2018年天津市奶牛养殖场原料奶体细胞数平均值为38.81万/mL,标准差36.49万/mL,变异系数94.03%,最大值为210.00万/mL,最小值为0.80万/mL,SCC≤50万/mL的样品占79.17%,50万/mL200万/mL的样品占0.83%。乳房炎病原菌检测结果显示:36个样品检出病原菌,总检出率为94.74%;共检出8种病原菌,检出率最高的是乳房链球菌,检出率为73.68%,其他病原体检出率依次为:牛支原体34.21%,牛棒状杆菌13.16%,无乳链球菌10.53%,大肠杆菌5.26%,白色念球菌5.26%,停乳链球菌2.63%,铜绿假单胞菌2.63%。14个样品检出耐药基因,总检出率为36.84%;2种耐药基因的检出率分别为β-内酰胺耐药基因CTX-M934.21%,耐甲氧西林葡萄球菌耐药基因MecA 2.63%。研究表明,2018年天津市原料奶SCC及细菌总数大部分接近欧盟标准,但仍有待进一步提高;引起天津地区临床型乳房炎的3种主要致病菌为乳房链球菌、牛支原体和牛棒状杆菌。     

傅立叶变换近红外光谱技术快速测定玉米DDGS营养成分

为实现玉米DDGS营养指标的快速检测,本实验采用傅立叶变换近红外光谱技术,建立玉米DDGS水分、粗蛋白质、粗脂肪、粗灰分和氨基酸定量分析模型。收集全国范围内230个玉米DDGS样品,随机分为215个校正样品和15个验证样品,通过对不同组分独立进行光谱的预处理、交互检验计算和优化定标,得到的水分、粗蛋白质和粗脂肪定标方程决定系数R~2均在0.9以上,交互验证均方根误差(RMSECV)在0.30以内,相对分析误差RPD>3;粗灰分R~2为0.81,RMSECV为0.12,RPD为2.3,盲样验证结果均满足GB/T 18868要求,模型均有较好的准确性和稳定性;氨基酸组分建模和验证效果也较好。结果表明,采用傅立叶变换近红外光谱技术能够实现对玉米DDGS的快速检测。     

Influence of race and crossbreeding on casein micelles size

Casein (CN) micelles are colloidal aggregates of protein dispersed in milk, the importance of which in the dairy industry is related to functionality and yield in dairy products. The objective of this work was to investigate the correlation of milk CN micelles diameter from Holstein and Zebu crossbreds with milk composition (protein, fat, lactose, total and nonfat solids and milk urea nitrogen), somatic cell count (SCC), age, lactation stage and production. Average casein micelles diameters of milk samples obtained from 200 cows were measured using photon correlation spectroscopy and multiple regression analysis was used to find relationship between variables. CN micelle diameter, SCC and nonfat solids were different between animals with different Holstein crossbreed ratios, which suggests influence of genetic factors, mammary gland health and milk composition. Overall, results indicate the potential use of CN micelle diameter as a tool to select animals to produce milk more suitable to cheese production.     

Relation of milk production loss to milk somatic cell count.

Milk production loss was studied in relation to increased somatic cell count (SCC). Available data were weekly test-day milk yields and SCC (in 1,000 cells/ml), and mastitis incidences. In total, 18,131 records from 274 cows were used. Production loss was determined for test-day kg milk, kg protein, and kg energy-corrected milk. Least-squares analysis of variance was used to estimate the direct effect of Log10(SCC) on production. The recorded measures of production were first corrected for fixed effects, with adjustment factors estimated from a healthy data-set. The average daily milk yield was 19.7 kg/day in first lactation and 22.0 in later lactations. The geometric mean of SCC was 63.1 in first lactation and 107.2 in later lactations. The incidence of clinical mastitis treated by a veterinarian was 19.8% of the lactations-at-risk. Linear relationships were found between the production parameters and Log10(SCC). Quadratic and cubic effects were evaluated, but were found to contribute little to the overall fit of the models. The individual milk yield loss was 1.29 kg/day for each unit increase in Log10(SCC) for cows in first lactation. Milk yield decreased by 2.04 kg/day per unit Log10(SCC) for older cows. Corresponding values for protein yield were 0.042 and 0.067 kg/day for first and later lactations, respectively.     

The usefulness of determining urea levels and the acidity of milk for evaluating protein nutrition in cows

Samples of blood, urine and milk were examined in 94 clinically healthy cows of 10 herds. The average milk samples and the feed ration used in these herds were also examined. The determination of urea concentration and milk acidity was evaluated as to its suitability for the assessment of the protein-glycide ratio and acid-base activity of feed ration. The determination of urea content in an average milk sample was found to be an expeditious procedure. The results of this examination can be used for the evaluation of the protein supply to cows with the same reliability as the determination of serum urea. The passage of urea from serum to milk was proportional. The correlation coefficient for the relation of both parameters was statistically highly significant (r = 0.940). According to the calculated equation of regression line (f2 = 0.734 + 0.669 X f1), the values from 2.94 to 4.10 mmol/l are approximately adequate to the reference range of serum urea from 3.30 to 5.00 mmol/l in milk used in Czechoslovakia. The acidity of milk was found to have a low sensitivity for being used with success for the determination of the acid-base activity of feed ration. The examination of the net acid-base urinary output cannot be replaced by the determination of milk acidity.