Connection of somatic cell count and milk yield as well as composition in dairy ewes

J Olechnowicz,D Bukowska,Z Sobek,J M Jaśkowski,P Antosik

doi:10.5194/aab-53-95-2010

J Olechnowicz, D Bukowska + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-53-95-2010

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Abstract

Abstract. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of somatic cell count (SCC) on milk yield and composition using a threshold value of 250 ∙103 cells/ml in dairy ewes of line 05. A total of 1 512 milk samples from udder halves were collected throughout milking periods at monthly intervals. In the present study milk composition (from halves of the udder) and daily milk yield (from udders) was examined in terms of SCC in ewe milk in three groups: from both halves of the udder below 250 ∙103 cells/ml, from one halves of the udder below 250 ∙103 cells/ml and from second half udder above 250 ∙103 cells/ml and from both halves of the udder above 250 ∙103 cells/ml. Milk yield from udders, somatic cell count in milk samples from udder halves and milk composition depended on the level of SCC recorded for halves of the udder. Somatic cell counts in milk from one or both halves of udders exceeding 250 ∙103 cells/ ml resulted in a statistically significant (P<0.01) decrease in daily milk production of ewes, by approx. 15.89 and 30.22 %, respectively. The analysis of variance showed also a significant effect of parity and stage of lactation of ewes on somatic cell count (log SCC) and milk composition from udder halves below 250 ∙103 cells/ml.

Highlights

Breed, flock, parity, stage of lactation, type of birth, estrus, as well as diurnal, monthly and seasonal variations of somatic cell counts (SCC) contribute significantly to changes of SCC in milk of dairy sheep (GONZÀLEZ-RODRIGUEZ et al 1995, FAHR et al 2001, GONZALO et al 2002, SCHULZ et al 2004, Kukowivs et al 2006, WÓJTOWSKI et al 2006, RAYNALLJUTOVAC et al 2007)
In relation to the effect of SCC on the percentage content of protein in ewe milk, many authors are of the opinion that a high level of SCC is related to a higher protein content in milk than a low SCC level (DIAZ et al 1996, NUDDA et al 2003, ALBENZIO et al 2004, BIANCHI et al 2004)
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of somatic cell count on milk yield and composition using a threshold value of 250∙103 cells/ml in dairy ewes of line 05

Summary

Introduction

Flock, parity, stage of lactation, type of birth, estrus, as well as diurnal, monthly and seasonal variations of somatic cell counts (SCC) contribute significantly to changes of SCC in milk of dairy sheep (GONZÀLEZ-RODRIGUEZ et al 1995, FAHR et al 2001, GONZALO et al 2002, SCHULZ et al 2004, Kukowivs et al 2006, WÓJTOWSKI et al 2006, RAYNALLJUTOVAC et al 2007). PIRISI et al (2000) and ALBENZIO et al (2005) indicated nonsignificant differences in protein contents at high and low levels of SCC in ewe milk. In dairy sheep physiological and pathological thresholds of SCC are 0.25 to 1.0∙106 cells/ml (GONZÁLEZ-RODRIGUEZ et al 1995, EL-SAIED et al 1999, PENGOV 2001, ARIZNABARRETA et al 2002). Some studies point to values between 250 and 300∙103 cells/ml as the most satisfactory discrimination thresholds between healthy and infected udders (GONZÁLESRODRIGUEZ et al 1995, PENGOV 2001, TIETZE et al 2001, ARIZNABARRETA et al 2002, WÓJTOWSKI et al 2006)

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