Effect of stage of lactation on somatic cell count in sheep milk of Pleven Blackhead breed

Abstract

Milk secretion in small ruminants present some particularities for cytoplasmatic particles which are shed in the milk together with leukocytes and epithelial cells. Therefore, a parameter like a somatic cell count is worldwide used as a measurement indicator of subclinical mastitis. The aim of the present study was to establish the change of chemical and microbiological characteristics on the composition of sheep milk, obtained from Pleven Blackhead sheep breed during different stages of lactation. It was established that the chemical characteristics of sheep milk varied widely according to the way animals were raised and fed. The obtained results described a slight increase in the values of the total concentration of minerals (up to 1%) and titratable acidity from 19 to 25°T. A decrease in the values of total solids (19.2-16.6%), milk fat (8.0-6.2%), and protein content (5.8-4.9%) during the stages of lactation was established. The microbiological analysis showed that somatic cell count and total bacterial count during lactation progressively decreased, probably due to the account the hygienic conditions, nutrition, environment and health status of the animals. Moreover, changes in the composition of sheep milk were directly dependent on stable, stable/pasture and pasture feeding system during lactation period.