Relationships between infection with caprine arthritis encephalitis virus, intramammary bacterial infection and somatic cell counts in dairy goats.

Somatic cell counts, the bacteriological condition of the milk and antibodies against caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) were measured monthly throughout lactation in 121 lactating goats of the Murcia-Granada breed in four commercial dairy goat herds. The prevalence of bacterial intramammary infection was 5.6 per cent and the prevalence of CAEV infection was 20.6 per cent. An analysis of variance revealed a significant effect of herd, intramammary infection and the interaction between intramammary infection and CAEV on the somatic cell count. In udder halves free of intramammary infection, the somatic cell counts were significantly lower in seronegative goats than in seropositive goats (P<0.05), but the difference was not significant in udder halves persistently infected by bacteria. There was a significant increase in somatic cell counts due to bacterial intramammary infection (P<0.01) in the seronegative goats, but this effect was not present in the seropositive animals.     

Effects of Thigh and Rear Udder Hygiene on Daily Milk Yield and Somatic Cell Score

To investigate the importance of dairy cow hygiene for management, the objective of this research was to determine the relationship between hygiene scores and daily milk yield as well as somatic cell score(SCS), and also the relationship between thigh and rear udder hygiene scores.The hygiene scores of thigh and rear udder were collected from 472 lactating cows in 3 Holstein dairy farms in Henan province, and dairy herd improvement(DHI) data for July, 2014 was also collected.After correcting the influence of fixed effects including lactating stage and dairy-parity, the effects of thigh and rear udder hygiene scores on daily milk yield and SCS were analyzed using SAS 9.1 with general linear model(GLM) procedure.The results showed that thigh and rear udder hygiene scores had no significant effect on average daily milk yield and SCS(P>0.05).For average daily milk yield, the regression coefficients of thigh and rear udder hygiene scores were-0.14 and-0.02, respectively.This meaned if thigh and rear udder hygiene scores increased 1 score, average daily milk yield of each cow would decrease 0.14 and 0.02 kg, respectively.For SCS, when thigh hygiene score ≥ 4, the proportion of cows with SCS ≥ 5 increased extremely significantly(P<0.01);when rear udder hygiene score ≥ 3, the proportion of cow with SCS ≥ 5 tended to increase(P=0.0546).Significant test for correlation and correlation coefficient estimation results showed that, there was a extremely significantly positive correlation discovered between thigh and rear udder hygiene scores(P<0.01).Therefore, hygiene scores was not only a management indicator, also could help understand udder health condition, which was beneficial for management.     

奶牛股部和乳房后部清洁度对日产奶量及体细胞数的影响

为探究奶牛体表清洁度在实际生产中的应用意义,本研究通过评价河南省3个奶牛场472头泌乳天数在0~330 d的中国荷斯坦奶牛股部清洁度和乳房后部清洁度,并结合2014年7月河南省牛奶记录系统(dairyherd improvement,DHI)中心提供的数据,对清洁度与平均日产奶量、体细胞数评分(somatic cell score,SCS)的关系进行分析,并探究两个清洁度评分之间的相关关系。采用广义线性模型(GLM)对数据进行统计分析,固定效应模型除清洁度评分外,还包括泌乳阶段效应和场-胎次效应等。结果表明,清洁度评分对SCS和平均日产奶量均无显著影响(P>0.05)。股部清洁度评分对平均日产奶量回归系数为-0.14,即每增加1分,奶牛平均日产奶量降低0.14 kg/头;乳房后部清洁度评分对平均日奶量回归系数为-0.02,每增加1分,奶牛平均日产奶量降低0.02 kg/头。对于SCS,股部清洁度评分≥ 4分时,SCS ≥ 5的比例极显著增加(P<0.01);乳房后部清洁度评分≥ 3分时,SCS ≥ 5的比例有增加趋势(P=0.0546)。相关性检验和相关系数估计结果显示,股部和乳房后部清洁度评分间呈极显著正相关(P<0.01)。因此,奶牛体表清洁度不仅是牛群的管理指标,而且可通过清洁度评分有效了解牛群乳房的健康状况,对日常生产过程具有很大帮助。     

Prevalence of subclinical udder infections and individual somatic cell counts in three dairy goat herds during a full lactation

For dairy goats, both the determination of the somatic cell counts (SCC) and the interpretation of these values may be a problem. Several investigations have shown that SCC for goat's milk, even from not infected mammary halves, are often higher than for cows milk. In the three herds examined about 40% of mammary halves and 30% of the goats were infected. However large differences between the three herds could be observed. In most cases, infections were caused by coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) or corynebacteria. The SCC of individual milk samples from goats without any udder infection hardly differed from those of goats with at least one udder half infected with CNS. In 20% and 30% of the cases the SCC was higher than 750'000 cells/ml, respectively. The relation between California Mastitis Test (CMT) reactions and udder infections was not very close. Over 20% of mammary halves infected with CNS showed negative CMT reactions. On the other hand, 25% of samples from mammary halves without a proven infection reacted positively. The large differences in individual cell counts on herd and animal level indicate that production and breeding systems might be important reasons for the higher SCC. As a consequence, the most common methods for or the control of udder health and udder infections (SCC, California Mastitis Test) are of limited value for goats. Since there was only a weak relation between milk quality properties and SCC, any arguments for the introduction of legal limits below 1 million cells per ml can hardly be found.     

Physical examination and palpation findings of mammary glands and indications of udder health in goat milk]

In dairy goats there is less evidence for relationships between udder form traits, results of physical udder examinations and mastitis indicators in the milk than in dairy cows. In 413 goats (predominantly Weisse Deutsche Edelziege and Bunte Deutsche Edelziege) from five herds (free from C.A.E.) repeated investigations of 2537 udder halves and fore milk samples were carried out in order to compare udder traits with findings in the milk. Less than 20% positive bacteriological findings and a low incidence of clinical mastitis testified a good clinical udder health status of the herds. Small teat-floor distances, loose hanging of the udders and bottle-shaped teats, findings which tended to become more frequent as lactation and lactation numbers progressed, indurative alterations of the mammary tissues and the teats tended to be connected with higher milk cell counts (> 1 million/microliter), more polymorphonuclear milk cells (> 40%), higher electrical milk conductivity (> 6.8 mS/cm) and lower milk lactose content (< 4.6%). A similar effect had a bad state of foot trimming. It is proposed to include the studied udder traits into herd health programs and breeding schemes for goats.     

乳房及肢蹄洁净度对荷斯坦奶牛体细胞数的影响

乳房炎是影响奶牛生产经济效益最重要的疾病之一，而体细胞数（SCC）是反映奶牛乳房健康及牛奶品质的重要指标。本研究通过对规模化牧场670头荷斯坦奶牛后腿上部及侧面、乳房、后腿下部进行洁净度评分，探讨乳房及肢蹄洁净度对荷斯坦奶牛乳中体细胞数的影响。试验运用SAS 8.1统计软件进行最小二乘方差分析及多重比较，除了将洁净度评分作为固定效应外，其他固定效应还包括组别效应、泌乳阶段效应及胎次效应。结果表明：①组别与胎次对体细胞评分有显著影响（P<0.05）。②泌乳阶段、后腿下部洁净度评分与乳房洁净度评分对体细胞评分有极显著影响（P<0.01），其中后腿下部洁净度评分为4分的体细胞评分极显著高于1分和2分的（P<0.01），后腿下部洁净度评分为3分的体细胞评分显著高于1分和2分的（P<0.05）；乳房洁净度评分为3分的体细胞评分极显著高于1分和2分的（P<0.01）；后腿上部及侧面洁净度评分对体细胞评分影响不显著（P>0.05）。③奶牛乳中体细胞数随着奶牛后腿下部洁净度评分与乳房洁净度评分的增加有上升的趋势。试验结果显示，通过对牛群身体洁净度评分，可以有效了解牛群乳房的健康状况，可为规模化牧场奶牛日常管理提供科学依据。     

Mastitis and other diseases of the goat's udder.

Udder problems of modern dairy goats are similar to those seen in dairy cows. Anomalies of the goat's udder and teats are common, and many may be hereditary. Skin diseases of the udder include viral infections, mange, sunburn, wounds, and staphylococcal dermatitis. There are numerous known causes of caprine mastitis. These include streptococci, hemolytic and nonhemolytic staphylococci, corynebacteria, and mycoplasmas. Diagnosis of mastitis in goats is often difficult, as the udder secretion may remain grossly normal and somatic cell counts in nonmastitic goats are higher than the recognized normal range for cows. The importance of nonhemolytic staphylococcal cultures remains uncertain. Nonhemolytic staphylococci were isolated at the New York State Mastitis Laboratory from 30% of normal halves and from 22% of halves of udders from goats with assorted clinical problems. Treatment and prophylaxis of caprine mastitis closely parallel the standard technique recommended for bovine mastitis.     

关中奶山羊乳房炎病理模型的建立

为建立关中奶山羊乳房炎模型,用分离的乳房炎病原菌,按照大肠埃希菌3×103 cfu/mL、金黄色葡萄球菌3×102 cfu/mL剂量,分别对关中奶山羊进行乳头管灌注.在不同时间点,观察测定产奶量、精神状况、食欲、乳汁外观、乳房性状、体温、体细胞数(LMT法)等指标,并进行病理学检查和病原菌分离鉴定.结果显示,攻菌后奶山...     

中国荷斯坦牛部分乳房结构特性对泌乳性能的影响

本研究对规模化场奶牛乳房结构部分性状进行评价和测定,旨在分析其影响因素及其与泌乳性能的关系。现场评价和测定我国北方6个规模化奶牛场荷斯坦牛的乳房均衡(2 030条)、乳头长度(1 551条)和乳头位置评分(分前、后乳头,2 839条),使用SAS 9.2 GLM过程采用固定效应模型分析影响上述3个乳房性状的因素,同时分析3个单项性状对校正日产奶量和体细胞评分的影响。结果表明:场和胎次对3个乳房性状影响极显著(P0.01);前、后乳头位置和后乳头长度对校正日产奶量有显著影响(P0.05),校正日产奶量与前乳头位置评分值呈正比,与后乳头位置评分值呈反比;前乳头位置和长度对体细胞评分有显著影响(P0.05),体细胞评分随前乳头位置评分的增大而减小;5~5.5 cm的乳头长度对于校正日产奶量和体细胞评分都最佳。本研究结果为通过乳房性状选择、淘汰并提高奶牛的生产性能、乳房健康提供了参考。     

Diagnostic tools to monitor udder health in dairy goats

This article discusses the use of somatic cell count (SCC) and bacteriological culture (BC) as monitoring tools to assess the udder health situation of dairy goats. Both SCC and BC can be applied for milk samples from individual goats or at bulk milk samples. The causative agent of primary concern in the dairy goat industry is Staphylococcus aureus. This pathogen strongly increases goat milk SCC. The SCC is therefore a useful test to detect S. aureus-infected goats. However, several non-infectious factors, most importantly the stage of lactation, also influence SCC, complicating the interpretation of this test. BC has a low sensitivity for the detection of S. aureus-infected goats, but is a valuable tool to obtain information on which bacterial species are responsible for udder health problems in a herd.     

The effect of estrus synchronization treatment on somatic cell count of transitional-anestrus local-Damascus cross breed goats’ milk

An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of estrus synchronization protocols and steroid hormones concentrations on somatic cell count (SCC) of transitional-anestrus local-Damascus cross goats’ milk. Fifty-six goats (2–4-year old) were randomly assigned to three groups: fluorogestone acetate (FGA, n = 19), FGA-Prostaglandin (FGA-PGF, n = 19) and control (n = 18) groups. Intravaginal sponge containing 40 mg FGA was inserted for 13 days and an injection of 600 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) was administered for goats of FGA and FGA-PGF groups at the time of sponge removal (day 0). In addition, goats of FGA-PGF group were injected with 10 mg dinoprost tromethamine () on day 0. Five fertile local-Damascus cross bucks were turned-in with all goats on day 0. Blood and milk samples were collected from all goats on days -13 (beginning of experiment), -6, 0, 1, 2, 7, 13 and 20 (end of the experiment). Four-year old and second-parity goats had significantly higher (p < 0.05) SCC of both udder halves than 2- and 3-year old and first-parity goats, respectively. There was a significant effect (p < 0.05) for treatment and number of kids born in the last kidding season on SCC of both udder halves. Neither estradiol nor progesterone concentrations were correlated with SCC in goats in this experiment. The SCC of both udder halves and left udder halves in goats of the control and FGA groups, respectively, increased significantly (p < 0.05) after sponge removal and buck introduction when compared with day 0, with no differences in the FGA-PGF group. This increase in SCC of the control and FGA groups coincided with peak estrus behavior. However, SCC was far below the upper limit of the current standard for normal milk. In conclusion, induction of estrus with progestagen based programs and buck introduction may cause temporary significant increase in SCC. However, the SCC values during this period of temporary increase were still in the range of acceptable values for normal milk. With the current standards for SCC of 1,000,000/ml as legal limit for abnormal milk control programs in goats, estrus synchronization programs and the estrus status should not be considered when bulk-tank milk SCC is being investigated.     

Increase of lactoferrin concentration in mastitic goat milk

Lactoferrin concentration (LFC) in normal and mastitic milk of dairy goats were examined. LFC in bulk milk collected from 70 dairy goat farms and individual milk samples from 10 goats with mastitis were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and their reaction time in methylene blue reduction test (MBRT) monitored. Bulk milk samples were categorized into three grades, such as high, normal and low, based on the reaction time in MBRT. The mean LFC in milk that was considered high quality (167 microg/ml) was significantly lower than that of those graded as normal (218 microg/ml) and low quality (304 microg/ml), while mean LFC in mastitic milk was 587 microg/m l. The correlation coefficient between milk LFC and MBRT time was found to be -0.7. Three goats were inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus into one of their udder halves. The mean milk LFC was found to be significantly higher (1500 microg/ml) than the control (30 microg/ml). These findings suggest that milk LFC may be useful as an index for intramammary infection in goats.     

Microbiological quality of goat's milk obtained under different production systems

In order to determine the safety of milk produced by smallholder dairy goat farms, a farm-based research study was conducted on commercial dairy goat farms to compare the microbiological quality of milk produced using 3 different types of dairy goat production systems (intensive, semi-intensive and extensive). A survey of dairy goat farms in and around Pretoria carried out by means of a questionnaire revealed that most of the smallholder dairy goat farms surveyed used an extensive type of production system. The method of milking varied with the type of production system, i.e. machine milking; bucket system machine milking and hand-milking, respectively. Udder half milk samples (n=270) were analysed, of which 31.1% were infected with bacteria. The lowest intra-mammary infection was found amongst goats in the herd under the extensive system (13.3%), compared with 43.3% and 36.7% infection rates under the intensive and semi-intensive production systems, respectively. Staphylococcus intermedius (coagulase positive), Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus simulans (both coagulase negative), were the most common cause of intramammary infection with a prevalence of 85.7% of the infected udder halves. The remaining 14.3% of the infection was due to Staphylococcus aureus. Bacteriology of bulk milk samples on the other hand, showed that raw milk obtained by the bucket system milking machine had the lowest total bacterial count (16,450 colony forming units (CFU)/ml) compared to that by pipeline milking machine (36,300 CFU/ml) or hand-milking (48,000 CFU/ml). No significant relationship was found between the somatic cell counts (SCC) and presence of bacterial infection in goat milk In comparison with the herds under the other 2 production systems, it was shown that dairy goat farming under the extensive production system, where hand-milking was used, can be adequate for the production of safe raw goat milk.     

Bovine tuberculosis and udder health in Irish dairy herds

The association between bovine tuberculosis (TB) infection status based on results from the single intradermal comparative tuberculin test (SICTT) and milk production has been described in dairy cows in TB-infected herds in Ireland. The biological basis was uncertain, but could be related to increased TB susceptibility among lower producing dairy cows. In this study, the relationship between somatic cell count (as an objective measure of udder health) and SICTT reactivity (as a proxy for TB infection status) was investigated. Somatic cell counts of TB infected cows, both during and prior to the lactation of diagnosis of TB infection, were examined and compared to non-infected cows. All Irish dairy herds restricted from trading between June 2004 and May 2005 as a result of two or more TB reactors (test positive) to the SICTT were considered for study. Data were collected on 4340 cows from 419 herds. Previous lactation data for the cows were taken into consideration and all lactations on a cow were analysed together with the years of lactations. There was an inherent hierarchical structure in the data, with lactations nested within cows and cows within herds and so a linear mixed model with two random effects was used to describe the data. Milk production (305-day milk yield) was also included in the model as a fixed effect. The results of the study showed that for all lactations and years under investigation, somatic cell counts for SICTT reactor cows when compared to the non-reactor cows were not significantly different. In this study population, TB infection status was not associated with udder health.     

Cell Content in Goat’s Milk

The geometric mean cell count of goat’s milk in mid-lactation was 880 × 10³ cells/ml and 690 × 10³ cells/ ml estimated by the Direct Microscopic Count (DMC) and the Electronic Cell Count (ECC), respectively. The numerous cell fragments in goat milk may have had an influence on the results obtained by the cell counting methods compared.A highly significant correlation (P < 0.001) existed between the results obtained by the above mentioned methods, and the California Mastitis Test.If routine surveys are done on milk samples of goats, a CMT score of 1, 2 or 3 should be regarded as normal in the mid-lactation. A higher CMT score may indicate an abnormal condition of the udder. In the diagnosis of mastitis in goats great attention should be paid to the difference in cell content between milk samples from halves of the same udder.     

Detection of ovine intramammary infection with the California mastitis test

The overall sensitivity of the California mastitis test (CMT) for detecting intramammary infection (the likelihood of a positive CMT score in the presence of intramammary infection) was 69.3%. The specificity of the CMT (likelihood of a negative test in the absence of intramammary infection) was 76.5%. When only infections by major ovine mastitis pathogens were considered, the sensitivity increased to 100% and the specificity decreased to 71.1%. Bacterial cultural examination and CMT scores were recorded for 526 samples of milk obtained from 106 brood ewes. Positive CMT scores were recorded for all samples from udder halves infected with major ovine mastitis pathogens (coagulase-positive staphylococci, Escherichia coli, and Pasteurella haemolytica). The CMT scores for samples from udder halves infected with coagulase-negative staphylococci were variable.     

奶山羊乳房温度与体内外温度、泌乳性能的相关性研究

[目的] 随着奶山羊养殖行业的发展,规模化、集约化程度不断提高,如何能更便捷地对奶山羊的健康状况和生产性能进行有效评判,是提高奶山羊养殖效率的重要措施。[方法] 本试验通过测定奶山羊体内外温度、产奶量以及乳成分,分析乳房温度与体内外温度以及与泌乳性能之间的相关性。[结果] 发现乳房温度与舍温、额温有明显的相关性（P<0.01）,但与眼温和肛温之间没有显著相关性;此外,乳脂、非乳脂固形物与乳房温度之间也存在显著的相关性（P<0.01）。[结论] 乳房温度是一个很好的评价指标,可适宜地用于监测奶山羊健康状况和生产性能。     

Prevalence, causes and laboratory diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in the goat

Five goat herds were examined to determine the prevalence and causes of subclinical mastitis and to assess the value of some laboratory tests currently used on milk samples as aids in the diagnosis of caprine mastitis. In the 170 samples taken from the pairs of mammary glands of 85 goats, the prevalence of infection in the different herds ranged from 15 per cent to 79 per cent of halves. Just over one-third (36 per cent) of all halves were infected, the organisms isolated being coagulase-negative staphylococci (80 per cent), coagulase-positive staphylococci (16 per cent), alpha-haemolytic streptococci (2 per cent) and Pasteurella haemolytica (2 per cent). Neither anaerobic organisms nor mycoplasmas were found. Tests confirmed that the coagulase-positive staphylococci were pathogens but that the coagulase-negative staphylococci rarely caused detectable disease in the caprine udder. The large between-herd variation in the geometric mean cell counts of uninfected milk samples means that somatic cell counts, the Whiteside test and the California mastitis test, are unreliable as aids in the diagnosis of caprine mastitis.     

Evaluation of the California mastitis test (CMT) reaction in goat milk and its interpretation

For evaluation of different factors regarding CMT results 65 goats were used. Age, milking hygiene and technique of the animals were recorded and the CMT results were evaluated in relation to those parameters. Correlations between CMT results and age as well milking hygiene and -technique respectively were found. Furtheron the CMT was evaluated as indicator for mastitis diagnosis. Therefore clinical examination of the udder, bacteriological examination of milk samples (aseptically collected) and the determination of the somatic cell count were carried out. The results showed that CMT is not specific for infected udder halves. As important udder pathogens staphylococci were found, S. aureus and CNS at the same level. This investigation has shown that CMT can be used as additional diagnostic tool concerning goat mastitis, but it should not be overestimated because of different factors which influence the cell count. For the control of udder health additional diagnostic measures are of utmost necessity.