Low-cost video-microscopy system for evaluation of fresh cow milk somatic cell concentration

This paper presents an alternative method to estimate somatic cell count (SCC) in cows' milk. SCC is an important indicator in the detection of inflammatory reactions within the udder in cows and Direct Optical Microscopy (DOM) is the present reference method for SCC but, owing to its dependence on human operators, it is extremely costly, time-consuming and potentially subjective. The industrial method of choice is Epifluorescence (EF), which has the potential for impressive throughput and acceptable precision, but requires huge inversions and handling of highly toxic reactives and waste. In this paper, an advantageous method that involves application of a low-cost Video Microscopy (VM) system is analysed and discussed, including a comparison between DOM and VM, and an example of application of both methods to evaluate EF counts. We conclude that VM is sufficiently precise and very cheap to implement and operate.

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Toll-like receptor gene polymorphism and its relationship with somatic cell concentration and natural bacterial infections of the mammary gland in sheep

Folia Microbiologica ◽

10.1007/bf02931633 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 51 (6) ◽

pp. 647-652 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

W. P. Świderek ◽

M. R. Bhide ◽

J. Gruszczyńska ◽

K. Soltis ◽

D. Witkowska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mammary Gland ◽

Gene Polymorphism ◽

Somatic Cell ◽

Bacterial Infections ◽

Cell Concentration ◽

Receptor Gene ◽

Toll Like Receptor ◽

Receptor Gene Polymorphism

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An Optimum Transformation for Somatic Cell Concentration in Milk

Journal of Dairy Science ◽

10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(80)82959-6 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 63 (3) ◽

pp. 487-490 ◽

Cited By ~ 347

Author(s):

A.K.A. Ali ◽

G.E. Shook

Keyword(s):

Somatic Cell ◽

Cell Concentration

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The effects of supplementary sodium on the magnesium status and behaviour of dairy cows fed silage and concentrates

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1752756200596008 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 1997 ◽

pp. 159-159

Author(s):

D.R. Arney ◽

C.J.C. Phillips ◽

O. Kaert

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Somatic Cell ◽

Cell Concentration ◽

Laboratory Animals ◽

Magnesium Status ◽

Grazing Dairy Cows

Recent research has demonstrated that supplementary sodium enhances the magnesium status of cattle fed fresh herbage by limiting the antagonism of potassium to magnesium absorption in the rumen (Chiy and Phillips, 1993). This may explain the observed reduction in the somatic cell concentration in the milk of grazing dairy cows when they are offered a sodium supplement (Phillips et al. 1996). Magnesium has been recognised as the main macroelement affecting immunocompetence in laboratory animals (Miller, 1985), and it is likely that it is important for grazing ruminants, which are prone to hypermagnesaemia. It is unclear whether sodium supplements would be beneficial to cattle fed conserved feeds, where hypomagnesaemia is less common.

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Effects of the CSN1AG allele on the clotting time of cow milk and on the rheological properties of rennet-curd

Journal of Dairy Research ◽

10.1017/s0022029900004696 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 68 (1) ◽

pp. 63-70 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

PRIMO MARIANI ◽

ANDREA SUMMER ◽

PAOLA DI GREGORIO ◽

ANDREA RANDO ◽

ENRICO FOSSA ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Somatic Cell ◽

Rheological Properties ◽

Titratable Acidity ◽

Cow Milk ◽

Clotting Time ◽

Somatic Cell Counts ◽

Milk Samples ◽

Cell Counts ◽

Normal Ranges ◽

Rennet Coagulation

The aim of this research was to study the effects of the CSN1AG allele on the main rennet coagulation properties of milk. The study was carried out on individual milk samples with low αs1-casein obtained from 19 Italian Brown cows heterozygous for the CSN1AG allele (seventeen CSN1A BG and two CSN1A CG) from four herds in the province of Parma (Italy). Control cows (sixteen CSN1A BB and three CSN1A BC) giving milk with normal αs1-casein levels were chosen from within the same herds in order to establish pairs of cows with identical environment and management conditions, and comparable lactation stages and numbers. Individual milk samples from single pairs of cows with somatic cell counts and lactose and chloride levels within the normal ranges were collected and analysed in parallel. Rennet coagulation properties of milk were analysed using Formagraph and Gel Tester. Milk from low αs1-casein cows was characterized by lower casein content, lower titratable acidity and a higher proportion of κ-casein in total casein. The clotting time of this milk was ∼ 23% lower than that obtained with milk from normal αs1-casein cows. Rennet curd from low αs1-casein milk was obtained more rapidly and had a higher final firmness: curd-firming time was ∼ 35% lower and curd firmness measured 30 min after rennet addition was ∼ 27 % higher compared with that for normal αs1-casein milk. In addition, curd from low αs1-casein milk had a higher resistance to compression. These results suggest that, although a role for the CSN2 locus cannot be definitely excluded, the CSN1AG allele can considerably affect the main rennet coagulation properties of milk.

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Relationship of Somatic Cell Count and Total Sulfhydryls in Milk

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/0362-028x-49.2.110 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

pp. 110-111 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

DANIEL R. SAMPLES ◽

SUSAN L. DILL ◽

RONALD L. RICHTER ◽

CHARLES W. DILL

Keyword(s):

Somatic Cell ◽

Cell Count ◽

Somatic Cell Count ◽

Milk Protein ◽

Cell Concentration ◽

Chemical Parameters ◽

Milk Samples ◽

The Mean ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship

Individual milk samples from 32 cows were analyzed to determine the relationship between somatic cell concentration and total sulfhydryl concentration (cysteine plus reduced cystine). A significant relationship was detected between somatic cell count, which ranged from 1.7 × 104 to 1.0 × 107 cells/ml, and total sulfhydryls per gram of milk protein. The regression equation, total sulfhydryls/g of milk protein = 31.96 + 7.99 (log10 somatic cell count) with r2 = 0.19, was calculated. The mean total sulfhydryl concentration was 73.1 μmol/g of protein. The minimal effect of somatic cell concentration on total sulfhydryl concentration indicates that somatic cell concentration should have little influence on chemical parameters of milk protein determined by sulfhydryl analysis when proper experimental controls are used.

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