Low Somatic Cell Count Research Articles

Prognostic Impact of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen During Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Patients With Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated With Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy.

Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) is widely used as a tumor marker for esophageal cancer. In this study, we investigated the relationship between SCC and long-term outcomes in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE). Between 2010 and 2018, 124 patients with ESCC who underwent MIE after NAC (cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil) were included. Patients were divided into low and high groups based on their pre-NAC SCC level, according to the cut-off value determined using a receiver operating characteristic curve. These two patient groups were further divided into subgroups by receiver operating characteristics according to whether SCC was low or high after NAC. For overall survival (OS), the cut-off value for SCC pre-NAC was 0.9 ng/ml. Ninety-six patients were in the high SCC group (≥0.9 ng/ml) and 28 patients were in the low SCC group (<0.9 ng/ml) prior to NAC. The patients were then divided into pre-NAC/post-NAC SCC subgroups accordingly: low/low SCC (n=7), low/high SCC (n=21), high/low SCC (n=53), and high/high SCC (n=43). The 5-year OS rates were 100%, 66.7%, 50.9%, and 32.6%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis for OS, a high/high pre-NAC/post-NAC SCC status was an independent prognostic factor for poorer OS, along with pathological N stage. For patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated with NAC followed by MIE, a high SCC level prior to NAC which was also high after NAC was an independent prognostic factor and might contribute to deciding the need for adjuvant therapy.

Influence of the new wavy teat liner “Stimulor StressLess” on milk yield performance and its quality in dairy cows: Results of a field study

The ideal milking system meets the physiological needs of dairy cows to increase milk yield, achieve better milk quality and maintain healthy udders. Therefore, the settings of the milking machine and the properties of the teat cup liners are very important on dairy farms. The aim of the present study was to test a new teat cup liner “Stimulor StressLess” (SSL) in two commercial dairy farms and to investigate its influence on daily milk production and quality having different experimental settings. For this purpose, 40 dairy cows of different breeds in Tirol, Austria (farm 1) were investigated for 6 months, where 3 months represent the control phase (Gr 1) and milked with conventional teat liners, and the second 3 months phase (Gr 2) was the experimental phase and milked with SSL teat cup liners. On the second farm 90 dairy cows of Simmental breed in Baden-Württemberg, Germany (farm 2) were examined for one year equally divided in the first 6 months of control phase and second 6 months of treatment phase. All cows on both farms had the same stage of lactation and lactation number. During the study period, the daily milk production of each cow was recorded and milk samples were collected to determine the ingredients. The results showed that higher daily milk production and better milk quality were observed after using the new SSL teat cup liner in the existing milking machines. However, the use of the new teat cup liner SSL was more efficient in the longer treatment in farm 2 than in farm 1. In addition, after the use of the new SSL teat cup liner, the udders remained healthy throughout the study period, showing lower somatic cell counts (SCC). It can be concluded that high milk yield and better milk quality can be achieved by using SSL teat cup liners, as they are adapted to all teat shapes and dimensions.

Influence of the new wavy teat liner “Stimulor StressLess” on milk yield performance and its quality in dairy cows: Results of a field study

The ideal milking system meets the physiological needs of dairy cows to increase milk yield, achieve better milk quality and maintain healthy udders. Therefore, the settings of the milking machine and the properties of the teat cup liners are very important on dairy farms. The aim of the present study was to test a new teat cup liner “Stimulor StressLess” (SSL) in two commercial dairy farms and to investigate its influence on daily milk production and quality having different experimental settings. For this purpose, 40 dairy cows of different breeds in Tirol, Austria (farm 1) were investigated for 6 months, where 3 months represent the control phase (Gr 1) and milked with conventional teat liners, and the second 3 months phase (Gr 2) was the experimental phase and milked with SSL teat cup liners. On the second farm 90 dairy cows of Simmental breed in Baden-Württemberg, Germany (farm 2) were examined for one year equally divided in the first 6 months of control phase and second 6 months of treatment phase. All cows on both farms had the same stage of lactation and lactation number. During the study period, the daily milk production of each cow was recorded and milk samples were collected to determine the ingredients. The results showed that higher daily milk production and better milk quality were observed after using the new SSL teat cup liner in the existing milking machines. However, the use of the new teat cup liner SSL was more efficient in the longer treatment in farm 2 than in farm 1. In addition, after the use of the new SSL teat cup liner, the udders remained healthy throughout the study period, showing lower somatic cell counts (SCC). It can be concluded that high milk yield and better milk quality can be achieved by using SSL teat cup liners, as they are adapted to all teat shapes and dimensions.

Computational Identification of Milk Trait Regulation Through Transcription Factor Cooperation in Murciano-Granadina Goats.

The Murciano-Granadina goat (MUG) is a renowned dairy breed, known for its adaptability and resilience, as well as for its exceptional milk traits characterized by high protein and fat content, along with low somatic cell counts. These traits are governed by complex biological processes, crucial in shaping phenotypic diversity. Thus, it is imperative to explore the factors regulating milk production and lactation for this breed. In this study, we investigated the genetic architecture of seven milk traits in MUGs, employing a two-step computational analysis to examine genotype-phenotype associations. Initially, a random forest algorithm identified the relative importance of each single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in determining the traits of interest. The second step applied an information theory-based approach to exploring the complex genetic architecture of quantitative milk traits, focusing on epistatic interactions that may have been overlooked in the first step. These approaches allowed us to identify an almost distinct set of candidate genes for each trait. In contrast, by analyzing the promoter regions of these genes, we revealed common regulatory networks among the milk traits under study. These findings are crucial for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying gene regulation, and they highlight the pivotal role of transcription factors (TFs) and their preferential interactions in the development of these traits. Notably, TFs such as DBP, HAND1E47, HOXA4, PPARA, and THAP1 were consistently identified for all traits, highlighting their important roles in immunity within the mammary gland and milk production during lactation.

Impact of a teat disinfectant based on Lactococcus cremoris on the cow milk proteome

BackgroundDairy cow milking practices require cleaning and disinfection of the teat skin before and after milking to ensure the safety and quality of milk and prevent intramammary infections. Antimicrobial proteins of natural origin can be valuable alternatives to traditional disinfectants. In a recent field trial, we demonstrated that a teat dip based on a nisin A-producing Lactococcus cremoris (L) had comparable efficacy to conventional iodophor dip (C) in preventing dairy cow mastitis. Here, we present the differential shotgun proteomics investigation of the milk collected during the trial.MethodsFour groups of quarter milk samples with low (LSCC) and high somatic cell count (HSCC) collected at the beginning (T0) and end (TF) of the trial were analyzed for a total of 28 LSCC (14 LSCC T0 and 14 LSCC TF) and 12 HSCC (6 HSCC T0 and 6 HSCC TF) samples. Milk proteins were digested into peptides, separated by nanoHPLC, and analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) on an Orbitrap Fusion Tribrid mass spectrometer. The proteins were identified with MaxQuant and interaction networks of the differential proteins were investigated with STRING. The proteomics data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange Consortium via the PRIDE partner repository with the dataset identifier PXD045030.ResultsIn healthy milk (LSCC), we detected 90 and 80 differential proteins at T0 and TF, respectively. At TF, the Lactococcus group showed higher levels of antimicrobial proteins. In mastitis milk (HSCC), we detected 88 and 106 differential proteins at T0 and TF, respectively. In the Lactococcus group, 14 proteins with antimicrobial and immune defense functions were enriched at TF vs. 4 proteins at T0. Cathelicidins were among the most relevant enriched proteins. Western immunoblotting validation confirmed the differential abundance.ConclusionsAt T0, the proteomic differences observed in healthy milk of the two groups were most likely dependent on physiological variation. On the other hand, antimicrobial and immune defense functions were higher in the milk of cows with mammary gland inflammation of the Lactococcus-treated group. Among other factors, the immunostimulatory action of nisin A might be considered as a contributor.

Eficiência do produto homeopático BioBoi® combinado ao manejo adequado da ordenha, no tratamento de mastite em vacas em lactação

The dairy production chain is one of the main economic activities in Brazil, with primary production present in almost all Brazilian municipalities, involving more than one million rural producers, and generating jobs in all segments of the chain. The growing consumption of dairy products, and the pursuit of quality, lead to increasing concern with food and nutritional safety. Among the factors that affect milk composition are management and the incidence of diseases, with mastitis being one of the most frequent infections affecting dairy cattle. This results in economic losses due to reduced production and milk quality, increased costs for labor, medication, and veterinary services, and the early disposal of animals. Treatment with commercial homeopathic products presents an alternative to avoid problems found in the continuous use of allopathic medicines, such as residues in animal-derived products, selection of multi-resistant strains, and reactions in hypersensitive individuals. The general objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of using a commercial homeopathic product in the treatment of bovine mastitis when combined with proper milking management. Our specific objectives were to evaluate the milker’s handling before, during, and after milking, to determine the incidence and prevalence of clinical and subclinical cases of mastitis in the herd before and after treatment, and to perform comparative analyses of the data obtained at the beginning and end of the experiment. The results showed that positive behaviors by the milker had greater influence on the cows' behavior, which remained calm and stress-free throughout the milking process, as well as a correlation with obtaining low somatic cell counts (SCC). Regarding the prevalence of mastitis in the herd, although it decreased, there was no statistically significant difference. However, there was evidence of the positive interference of the homeopathic medicine on its incidence. It is concluded that the homeopathic medicine is effective in inhibiting the emergence of new cases of mastitis, as well as in treating acute cases of mastitis and reducing the herd's SCC, being efficient in the control and prevention of mastitis; it is also concluded that the milker plays an important role in this process, making it essential for them to be aware and valued for this.

514 Roles of core regulatory noncoding RNAs in bovine Staphylococcus aureus subclinical mastitis

Abstract Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is an opportunistic pathogen frequently associated with subclinical mastitis and accounts for a large proportion of the economic losses due to mastitis on Canadian dairy farms. Despite a plethora of investigations on the molecular mechanisms of mastitis, little information is available on the roles of regulatory noncoding RNAs (ncRNA). This study aimed to uncover the regulatory roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the response to subclinical mastitis due to S. aureus of cows. Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq and miRNA-Seq) was conducted on milk somatic cells from 13 cows with S. aureus subclinical mastitis [high somatic cell counts (SCC) of ≥350,000 cells/mL for ≥3 consecutive months and positive for S. aureus only], and 5 healthy cows (low SCC&amp;lt; 100,000 cells/mL for ≥3 consecutive months and negative for mastitis pathogens). RNASeq and smRNASeq nf-core bioinformatics pipelines were used to process the data. Results showed that 97 miRNAs (36 up-regulated and 61 down-regulated) and 1,565 lncRNAs (617 up-regulated and 948 down-regulated) were differentially expressed (DE; FDR&amp;lt; 0.05) between S. aureus subclinical mastitic cows and healthy controls. Competing endogenous networks comprising co-expressed differentially expressed mRNAs (DEGs), miRNAs (DEMs), and lncRNAs (DELs) were constructed. CytoHubba, a Cytoscape plugin, was utilized to identify the top hub regulatory ncRNAs including bta-miR-2387, bta-miR-331, bta-miR-95, bta-miR-744, bta-miR-455, bta-novel-miR-60, bta-miR-3533, bta-miR-500, bta-miR-1249 and bta-novel-miR-66). The results revealed that the main hubs (downregulated bta-miR-2387 and upregulated bta-miR-331) potentially regulate numerous DEGs during S. aureus subclinical mastitis such as NFKB1, IL10RA, IL17RA, TLR10, LOC112442665, LOC112448481 and LOC112442015, etc., and TUNAR, LOC112445429, LOC112444484 and LOC101907369, respectively. Functional analysis of bta-miR-331 target genes revealed roles in several KEGG pathways (e.g., tight junction, bacterial invasion of epithelial cells) and biological processes gene ontology (GO) terms (e.g., cell adhesion, cell locomotion and cell motility). Similarly, roles for bta-miR-2387 in KEGG pathways like JAK-STAT signaling pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway and inflammatory bowel disease, and biological process GO terms such as inflammatory response, neutrophil migration, leucocyte migration and response to cytokine were revealed. MiR-331 has been found to promote cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of breast cancer. Furthermore, bta-miR-2387 has been shown to regulate several immune pathways which aid in improving the movement of spermatids across the epithelium and preleptotene spermatocytes across the blood-testis barrier during spermatogenesis. This supports our findings and suggests that bta-miR-2387 and bta-miR-331 could be pivotal regulators of immune-related genes and pathways during S. aureus subclinical mastitis. Thus, they hold potential as biomarkers for the development of therapeutic and diagnostic tools for managing subclinical mastitis.

Clinical outcomes of bilobed platysma myocutaneous flap technique with neck dissection in lower lip squamous cell carcinoma

BackgroundSquamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the lower lip is among the most frequently encountered types of cancer. As the size of this cancer increases, the need for reconstruction becomes evident, posing a significant challenge. Depending on the staging results in these patients, neck dissection may be recommended. ObjectiveThis study aims to demonstrate the successful application or feasibility of our Bilobed Platysma Myocutaneous Flap technique in patients with lower lip SCC. MethodsThe Bilobed Platysma Myocutaneous Flap was applied to all patients. Following TNM staging, supraomohyoid and/or radical neck dissection were performed. Surveys were conducted with the patients, and scoring was implemented based on the results for evaluation. ResultsBetween 2014 and 2018, 23 patients underwent treatment with this flap, and all flaps survived. Among these patients, bilateral supraomohyoid neck dissection was performed on 14, while modified radical neck dissection on one side and supraomohyoid neck dissection on the other side were conducted on the remaining 9 patients. Throughout the 5-year follow-up period, no recurrence was observed in the patients. ConclusionThe combination of the Bilobed Platysma Myocutaneous Flap technique and neck dissection can be successfully employed in the reconstruction and treatment of lower lip cancers.

Effect of Moringa (Moringa oleifera) Dry Leaf Powder Supplementation on Production Performance and Economics of Lactating Rathi Cows

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Moringa (Moringa oleifera) dry leaf powder supplementation on milk yield, composition and milk quality of lactating Rathi cows, as well as the economic impact of this intervention. Fifteen cows were selected from the herd of Rathi cattle of Livestock Research Station Bikaner, Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner, Rajasthan. Methods: The animals were divided into three treatment groups based on nearness of their body weight, parity and lactation stage. Cows were fed with Moringa oleifera leaf powder supplement at the levels of 0 g (control, T0), 10 g (T1) and (T2) 20 g per 100 kg bw/cow/day for 60 days (14 days of adjustment and 46 days of sampling period). Daily milk yield was recorded and samples were taken at every 7 day interval. Result: The results of the study indicated that the milk fat, lactose, solid not fat and total solids per cent were found significantly higher (P less than 0.01), while lower somatic cell count (P less than 0.05) reported in the supplemented groups when compared with control group. No significant difference was observed in milk yield and milk protein in the moringa supplemented groups. The treatment groups supplemented with moringa also had higher economic efficiency.

Influence of the season on the main components of cow milk in Ukraine

The quality of dairy products depends on the safety and quality of raw materials, therefore, the analysis of physicochemical and sanitary indicators of raw cow milk is of great importance. The composition of bulk milk of three technological groups of cows: early lactation (5–60 days in milk), primiparous cows and all other cows starting from the second lactation was studied according to seasons. Regardless of the group of animals, the fat content in bulk milk was significantly lower in summer than in other seasons of the year, and the highest in winter. In each group of animals, the lowest somatic cell count was observed in the fall, while the highest indicator of the study of bulk milk of cows in early lactation and primiparous was determined in the winter, and in the spring of cows from the second lactation. The lowest milk urea content in all groups of animals was noted in summer. The lowest protein level was observed in autumn (3.27 ± 0.11%), and the highest in winter (3.39 ± 0.11%) in the bulk milk of cows in early lactation. The ratio of fat to protein in summer 1.12 ± 0.03 was significantly lower compared to other seasons of the year. The highest level of somatic cells was recorded in this group in winter (290 ± 82 * 103 cells/mL), which was twice as much as in autumn (141 ± 54 * 103 cells/mL), and by 56.8% more than in summer (185 ± 39 * 103 cells/mL). The milk urea content in the summer was 194.0 ± 17.6 mg/kg, which is significantly lower than the indicators in other seasons of the year in the group of early lactation. In the summer period, the lowest protein content (3.23 ± 0.06%) in the bulk milk of primiparous cows was observed compared to other seasons of the year. The winter was characterized by the highest level of somatic cell count in milk (221 ± 49 * 103 cells/mL), which was almost twice as high as the autumn period (116 ± 31 * 103 cells/mL). The highest urea content in the milk of primiparous cows was found in autumn (228.6 ± 21.9 mg/kg), which exceeded the summer figure by 14.5%. The lowest protein content (3.29 ± 0.06%) and the highest in winter (3.44 ± 0.09%) was observed in the bulk milk of cows of the second lactation and older. The somatic cell count in milk in autumn (160 ± 69 * 103 cells/mL) was lower than the winter and spring indicators by 37.5% and 49.3%, respectively. The milk urea content in the summer (198 ± 22 mg/kg) was significantly lower than the autumn and winter indicators. In further studies, to improve the sanitary quality of milk, it is planned to use different hygienic means for processing the udder of cows depending on the season.

Metabolic and productive parameters of lactating dairy cows under heat stress conditions supplemented with plant polyphenol extract.

The impact of heat stress on dairy cattle leads to significant economic losses and a negative impact on the welfare of the animals. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of the nutritional additive (Thermoplus®) in dairy cows under postpartum heat stress conditions, and its effects on the metabolic profile, production and quality of milk. Eighteen lactating Holstein cows (8 multiparous and ten primiparous), in a free-stall system, with a mean body condition score (BCS) of 3.14 ± 0.05, live weight of 624.55 ± 18, 61kg, with initial mean days in milk (DIM) of 90 ± 10.11, were selected. The animals were grouped into a control (CG, n = 9) and a treatment (TG, n = 9). Both groups underwent 14days of diet adaptation, the TG received the basal diet supplemented with 50g of the additive, once a day, individually, while the control group received only the total diet. Data collection of metabolic and productive parameters were evaluated on days -14 (before adaptation), 1 (after the diet adaptation period), 16, 30, and 44. Milk, blood, and body condition score (BCS) were collected once a day, and heart rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature were collected twice a day. Serum concentrations of albumin, calcium, magnesium, glucose, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) were evaluated. In the milk, the percentage of fat, protein, lactose, and total solids were determined in each sampling. Milk yield was measured daily. Humidity and ambient temperature values were collected on the days of the collection every 30min, from 5:30 am to 5:00pm, to calculate the temperature-humidity index (THI). Statistical analyzes were performed using the SAS software (version 9.3, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). The THI ranged from 62.22 to 79.47. Our findings showed that when the THI was greater than 72, the animals in the TG were able to maintain milk yield (Odds ratio (OD) = -0.0577,), and the animals in the CG had a greater chance of reducing it (OD = -0.2301). Multiparous cows in the TG had higher milk yield than CG (32.57 ± 0.34 vs 30.50 ± 0.36kg per day; P = 0.0078) and lower SCC (34.110 ± 6,940 vs 665.50 ± 214.41 cells per ml; P = 0.03), with the same percentages of total solids (P > 0.05). In multiparous metabolic markers, TG when compared CG had higher albumin concentrations (2.50 ± 0.07 vs 2.12 ± 0.07g/dl; < 0.001), equal PON-1 (P > 0.05), and higher BHBA levels (0.49 ± 0.03 vs 0.39 ± 0.04mmol/l). Primiparous from the CG had higher concentrations of NEFA (0.18 ± 0.02mmol/l) than multiparous from the same group (0.09 ± 0.02mmol/l) P = 0.0265. The use of the plant polyphenol extract in postpartum Holstein cows challenged by heat stress had beneficial effects on the production and health of the mammary gland in multiparous cows without decreasing milk solids. The non-reduction of the activities of the acute phase proteins indicates an immunomodulatory and inflammatory-reducing effect of the product used.

Modulation of the Standing Behavior for Managing Elevated Somatic Cell Count (SCC) in Dairy Cows

Aim: To examine the effect of feed-offer time on standing and lying behaviors to manage Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and reduce risk of subclinical mastitis (SCM) in tie stall dairy cows. Study Design: Completely Randomized Design (5 treatments × 4 replications) Place and Duration of the Study: National Cow Research Program, Chitwan, Nepal; from September, 2019 to March, 2020 for 180 days. Methodology: Twenty SCM-free dairy cows were recruited on different feeding strategies (pre-milking, during milking, and post-milking feeding at varying intervals). Behavioral patterns (lying time, bout frequencies and duration, post-milking standing duration/PMSD) were obtained using pedometer and SCC by autoanalyzer fortnightly. The feeding strategy effect on behavioral outlines and SCC was analyzed for univariate ANOVA by SPSS packages (version 25). The relationship between behavioral patterns and SCC were performed by Pearsons Correlation analysis. Results: Immediate post-milking feeding (+iPMF) cows showed higher lying time (P=.003) and bout duration (P=.001) while the number of lying bout was higher (P=.001) in pre-milking feeding (-10PMF). The PMSD was logged higher (P=.001) in +iPMF than in -10PMF and during-milking feeding cows but was similar with other post-milking feeding groups. Additionally, immediate and 15-minute post-milking feeding (+15PMF) resulted significantly lower SCC at both teat (P=.001, .005) and udder levels (P=.001) and are consistently associated with longer standing time after milking, suggesting decreased risk of SCM. Furthermore, post-milking standing duration showed significant but negative relationship with SCC of fore teats (P=.001; r=-0.26) and at udder level (P=.001; r=-0.298) while it was negative and non-significant with hind teats (r=-0.09 in LH and r=-0.06 in RH). Conclusion: Post-milking feeding strategies, +iPMF and +15PMF, have the potential to improve dairy cow welfare and udder health by modulating behavioral patterns and reducing SCC. Further research is needed to optimize management practices for maximizing dairy cow welfare and udder health.

Exploring the impact of biosecurity measures on somatic cell score in mountain dairy farms considering the CLASSYFARM system

Biosecurity plays a crucial role in preventing the introduction of infectious diseases to a herd as well as the spread of diseases within or between animals and herds. In particular, biosecurity measures are crucial for maintaining animal health and reducing the need for the application of antibiotic substances for fighting the rising antibiotic resistance. The object of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the presence of biosecurity measures and their association with milk quality parameters, with a special focus on somatic cell count (SCC) − an indicator for udder health −, in small-scale mountain dairy farms. Therefore, for the very first time, the CLASSYFARM system was considered, which is a computer platform integrated into the Italian national veterinary portal, that processes a significant amount of data from various sources collected in the field or from other information systems (e.g. animal welfare, health status, biosecurity, antimicrobial use, slaughterhouse information). A total of 169 dairy farms were included in the study. Biosecurity measures, based on 15 questions required in the CLASSYFARM welfare assessment protocol, as well as information about husbandry systems, milking systems and pasture practices were gathered and combined with milk yield data, provided by the South Tyrolean dairy association. Farms only scored 44.00 points on average in a scoring system from 0.00 to 100.00 points that was be able to summarize 15 different biosecurity measures in one index. Our results show a clear negative correlation (−0.713) between the biosecurity index and somatic cell score (SCS) indicating that a higher level of biosecurity, which reflects the presence of biosecurity measures within a farm, is associated with lower SCC levels. Furthermore, we found significant correlations between SCS and milk production (−0.629), confirming that udder health is linked to higher milk production. Fat, protein, and the fat-to-protein ratio showed a positive correlation with SCS (0.281, 0.146, 0.106), likely to be caused by a concentration shift effect (dilution effect). Husbandry system, breed, milking system, and pasture practices seem to have an impact as well, but the main factor was the biosecurity score. This study highlights the importance of implementing biosecurity measures for ensuring animal health and thus productivity and quality in milk production, even in small-scale farms, which are characterized by limited structure availability and smaller herds compared to big dairy enterprises in the lowlands.

Effect of feeding Moringa oleifera based complete pellet feed on milk yield, composition, fatty acids, somatic cell count and cell mediated immunityin lactating goats

Lactation cum feeding trial was conducted on 12 female Barbari goats (Age approx. 2-3 years and mean body weight 34.72 ±1.28 kg) for 120 days after approximately one month of kidding and effect on milk production, milk constituents, somatic cell count, milk fatty acid profile and cell mediated immunity was studied. Animals were divided into two groups (Gr G and Gr M) of six each as per completely randomized design. Two types of complete pellet (Moringa oleifera and Cicer arietinum) based was formulated containing sundried Moringa biomass and Gram straw along with conventional feed ingredients. Lactating goats of Gr G was fed with gram straw based complete pellet feed while goats of Gr M was fed with Moringa based complete pellet feed. Both the complete pellet feeds were iso nitrogenous. No significant difference in body weight changes was recorded between groups. The milk production (g/day) was higher (Avg. 14.54%) in Gr M as compared to Gr G at different fortnight. No significant difference was reported in the milk composition. Milk fat, SNF, Protein and lactose was similar in both the groups. Milk Somatic cell count (×10 3/ml) was significantly (P&lt;0.05) lower in lactating goats fed with Moringa based feed. Cell-mediated immune response assessed through delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction against phyto haemagglutinin (PHA-P) was more pronounced in Gr M at 72 and 96 hrs.Higher concentration of unsaturated fatty acids (about 16.19%) and lower saturated fatty acids (about 5.49%) was reported in Gr M. Milk fatty acid profile indicators like Index of atherogenicity (IA) was lower while hypo/hyper cholesteremic ratio and health promoting index was higher in milk of moringa based pellet fed goats. Present study concluded that Barbari goats fed with Moringa based complete pellet feed produced higher milk yield with healthier fatty acid profile with low somatic cell counts.

Transcriptomic Changes and Regulatory Networks Associated with Resistance to Mastitis in Xinjiang Brown Cattle.

Xinjiang brown cattle are highly resistant to disease and tolerant of roughage feeding. The identification of genes regulating mastitis resistance in Xinjiang brown cattle is a novel means of genetic improvement. In this study, the blood levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and TGF-β in Xinjiang brown cattle with high and low somatic cell counts (SCCs) were investigated, showing that cytokine levels were higher in cattle with high SCCs. The peripheral blood transcriptomic profiles of healthy and mastitis-affected cattle were constructed by RNA-seq. Differential expression analysis identified 1632 differentially expressed mRNAs (DE-mRNAs), 1757 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DE-lncRNAs), and 23 differentially expressed circRNAs (DE-circRNAs), which were found to be enriched in key pathways such as PI3K/Akt, focal adhesion, and ECM-receptor interactions. Finally, ceRNA interaction networks were constructed using the differentially expressed genes and ceRNAs. It was found that keynote genes or mRNAs were also enriched in pathways such as PI3K-Akt, cholinergic synapses, cell adhesion molecules, ion binding, cytokine receptor activity, and peptide receptor activity, suggesting that the key genes and ncRNAs in the network may play an important role in the regulation of bovine mastitis.

Characterisation of probiotic fermented milks produced from goat milk containing low or high somatic cell counts

Probiotic fermented milks were produced from goat milk containing two different somatic cell counts (SCC) at low (&lt;500.000 cells/mL) and high (&gt;1.500.000 cells/mL) levels. The produced samples were analysed for some chemical, textural, microbiological and sensory properties. The samples made from high SCC goat milk had higher lipolytic activity. The viscosity and hardness of probiotic fermented milks with low SCC were higher than that of the higher SCC samples. Probiotic fermented milks produced with low SCC achieved higher sensory scores and the viability of the starter bacteria was more stable in these samples.

A study on the development and the application strategy of FT-MIRS-based models for the diagnosis of subclinical mastitis and milk quality classification in buffaloes

Buffalo mastitis detection and buffalo milk quality are of great importance to the world dairy industry. Somatic cell count (SCC) can be employed to assess mammary gland health and milk quality in dairy cows, but SCC detection is costly, and the detection instrument is expensive. The purpose of this study was to develop high and low SCC identification models using Fourier-transform mid-infrared spectrum (FT-MIRS), which could be used to diagnose subclinical mastitis (SCM) in buffalo and to determine the milk quality grade at a low cost. The dataset contained 899 buffalo milk samples collected from two regions in China. Firstly, the samples were divided into positive group above the threshold (SCM or unqualified milk) and negative group below the threshold (healthy or qualified milk) with SCC = 200 × 103 cells/mL (SCM in buffalo), 400 × 103 cells/mL (EU standard for raw cow milk, ES), 500 × 103 cells/mL (Indian standard for raw buffalo milk, IS), and 750 × 103 cells/mL (US standard for raw cow milk, US) as thresholds, respectively. Then, with FT-MIRS as predictive variables, predictive models were developed using Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLSDA), Random Forest (RF), and Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM). The main results were as follows: the AUCval of the diagnostic model of SCM in buffalo using SCM criteria as a threshold was 0.84 (PLSDA). The AUCval values of the three buffalo milk quality classification models with ES, IS, and US as thresholds were 0.76 (PLSDA), 0.78 (GBM), and 0.84 (PLSDA), respectively. The predictive models established in this paper had a weak predictive ability for positive samples, and the “stepwise discriminant analysis” was recommended to improve the model application effect: The models were applied to classify samples as positive and negative, and then the samples with higher predictive probability were selected. Finally, the remaining samples were further differentiated using the reference methods of SCC detection. To conclude, FT-MIRS has the potential to predict buffalo mammary gland health status and buffalo milk quality grade, reduce the cost of SCC detection, and improve work efficiency, which will lay the foundation for rapid buffalo milk quality classification by raw milk regulatory authorities and rapid diagnosis of SCM in buffalo by farms.

Conditioner application improves bedding quality and bacterial composition with potential beneficial impacts for dairy cow's health.

The use of Manure Pro (MP) conditioner improved recycled manure solids-bedding quality and this higher sanitary condition had further impacts on dairy cows' health with less potential mastitis pathogens significantly associated with bedding and teat skin samples of animals from MP group. The animals also presented an improved inflammation status, while milk quality was not modified. The use of MP conditioner on bedding may be of interest in controlling the risk of mastitis onset for dairy cows and further associated costs.

Concentrations of antimicrobial components in milk at dry off and postpartum and their relationships to new high somatic cell counts at quarter level in dairy cows.

We investigated the antimicrobial components in cow milk at dry off and postpartum and their contribution in preventing new high SCC at quarter level. Milk samples from 72 quarters of 19 lactating cows were collected at last milking before dry off and at 7 d after parturition. Milk yield of each cow was recorded and SCC, IgG, IgA, lactoferrin, lingual antimicrobial peptide (LAP), and S100A7 concentrations in each quarter milk sample were measured. The postpartum milk yield was significantly higher than that at dry off. The IgG, IgA and lactoferrin concentrations in milk at dry off were significantly higher than those at postpartum, whereas the LAP concentration was lower. Quarters with SCC < 300 000 cells/ml at both dry off and postpartum were classified as persistent low SCC (PL) whereas those that rose above that same threshold postpartum were classified as new high SCC (NH). At dry off, IgG and LAP concentrations in milk were significantly higher in PL than in NH. These results suggest that high LAP concentrations during the dry period may contribute toward the prevention of new high SCC.

Milk recording data indicates the importance of fertility, including age at first calving, on the progression of first lactation cows to second lactation.

Dairy farmers do not recoup the rearing costs incurred from birth to first calving until second lactation but varying proportions of first lactation cows are removed from the herd before second calving. Herein, we used milk recording data to examine the outcomes and performance of first lactation cows to gain insight into farmer decisions to keep or remove them from the herd. An InterHerd+ dataset derived from 500 milk recording dairy herds in UK was used to examine first lactation cows which calved in 2020. Of 29,128 first lactation cows that calved in 2020, 82.6% remained within the herd and re-calved, 4.9% conceived but exited the herd before re-calving, 6.0% were served but exited the herd after failing to conceive and 6.6% exited the herd without being served. The fertility data on these cows support the logical conclusion that farmers retain cows that are served and conceive sooner, possibly in order to keep within a broadly seasonal calving pattern. Cows which were served but not conceived had a median AFC 16-20 days greater than the median AFC for those that conceived. Farmers may also be retaining cows with relatively high milk yields and lower somatic cell counts, or these parameters may be an indicator of a range of attributes affecting the farmer's decision. The data also suggest that farmers are rearing more replacements than required, because over one third of the cows removed in first lactation are never served, and 70% of these are sold within 120 days post-partum. These cows had a significantly older median age at first calving of 818 days, but their early removal without serving suggests there is an oversupply of replacements forcing farmers to dispose of these cows early in lactation. In order to develop a deeper understanding of herd turnover and replacement, future work could examine cow removals in lactation 2 onwards.