Effect of somatic cell count on milk fat and protein in different parities and stages of lactation in Holstein cows

<p>The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of somatic cell score (SCS) on milk fat and protein in different parities and stages of lactation in Iranian Holstein cows. Records between June 2003 and January 2014 from 208,478 cows in lactations one to nine in 845 herds, comprising 2,456,303 monthly test-day (TD) records were used. The MIXED procedure of the SAS software with repeated measurements was used. The fixed effects of the model were herd, year-season of calving, month of TD, weeks of lactation, previous dry period length and somatic cell score (SCS) and covariate was calving age. Lactations were divided into six stages and analyses were performed within each stage. Also, different lactations were analyzed separately. Increase of SCS led to increase of milk fat and protein percentage and the increase of milk fat and protein associated with SCS was higher in early stages of lactation relative to later stages of lactation. Also, increase of milk fat and protein associated with SCS was higher in the first lactation rather than later lactations and decreased with increase of parity.</p>

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Differential Somatic Cell Count as a Novel Indicator of Milk Quality in Dairy Cows

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10050753 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 753 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Giorgia Stocco ◽

Andrea Summer ◽

Claudio Cipolat-Gotet ◽

Lucio Zanini ◽

Diego Vairani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Somatic Cell ◽

Cell Count ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Somatic Cell Count ◽

Positive Association ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Repeated Measurements ◽

Milk Fatty Acids

Recent available instruments allow to record the number of differential somatic cell count (DSCC), representing the combined proportion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes, on a large number of milk samples. Milk DSCC provides indirect information on the udder health status of dairy cows. However, literature is limited regarding the effect of DSCC on milk composition at the individual cow level, as well as its relation to the somatic cell score (SCS). Hence, the aims of this study were to (i) investigate the effect of different levels of DSCC on milk composition (fat, protein, casein, casein index, and lactose) and (ii) explore the combined effect of DSCC and SCS on these traits. Statistical models included the fixed effects of days in milk, parity, SCS, DSCC and the interaction between SCS × DSCC, and the random effects of herd, animal within parity, and repeated measurements within cow. Results evidenced a decrease of milk fat and an increase in milk fatty acids at increasing DSCC levels, while protein, casein and their proportion showed their lowest values at the highest DSCC. A positive association was found between DSCC and lactose. The interaction between SCS and DSCC was important for lactose and casein index, as they varied differently upon high and low SCS and according to DSCC levels.

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Factors affecting daily milk yield, fat and protein percentage, and somatic cell count in primiparous Holstein cows

Indian Journal of Animal Research ◽

10.5958/0976-0555.2015.00048.5 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 49 (3) ◽

pp. 313 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

S. Atasever ◽

L. Stádník

Keyword(s):

Somatic Cell ◽

Cell Count ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Somatic Cell Count ◽

Holstein Cows ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Protein Percentage ◽

Daily Milk Yield ◽

Daily Milk

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Influence of somatic cell count and body condition score on reproductiontraits and milk composition of Czech Holstein cows

Indian Journal of Animal Research ◽

10.18805/ijar.11469 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Savas Atasever ◽

Ludek Stádník

Keyword(s):

Somatic Cell ◽

Cell Count ◽

Body Condition ◽

Somatic Cell Count ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Holstein Cows ◽

Composition Analysis ◽

Protein Percentage ◽

Condition Score

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of somatic cell count (SCC) and body condition score (BCS) on reproduction and milk composition characteristics in Czech Holstein cows. A total of 275 records of chosen cows was evaluated by milk composition, SCC, BCS and fertility traits. Infrared spectroscopic method was used for SCC test and an automatic device was used for milk composition analysis. Before statistical test, SCC data were transformed to log10 for normality and homogeneity of variances. BCS was performed using a 1-5 point scale and days from calving to first insemination (ICF), number of inseminations per conceptions (NIC) and days open (DO) were assessed as fertility parameters. To evaluate days in milk (DIM) on SCC and BCS, two groups were designed (group 1: cows in 1-69th day DIM and group 2: cows in 70-119th DIM). For testing BCS on chosen traits; cows with 2.50 £ BCS and cows with BCS ³ 2.75 were tested in two groups. All statistical work was applied by SPSS 17.0 at the 0.05 significance level. It was found that SCC elevated with high parities and cows with lower BCS had lower milk protein percentage. Cows with lower BCS had lower reproduction traits than those with higher BCS. Correlation coefficient between two markers was estimated as r= -0.181. Calculated means for the parameters could be assessed in reasonable thresholds. The study revealed that SCC played a marked role on protein percentage of milk, and BCS affected important reproductive characteristics of Czech Holstein cows.

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Genetic Parameters of Bovine Milk Fatty Acid Profile, Yield, Composition, Total and Differential Somatic Cell Count

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10122406 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 2406

Author(s):

Tania Bobbo ◽

Mauro Penasa ◽

Martino Cassandro

Keyword(s):

Animal Models ◽

Somatic Cell ◽

Cell Count ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Somatic Cell Count ◽

Genetic Parameters ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Bovine Milk

The growing interest of consumers for milk and dairy products of high nutritional value has pushed researchers to evaluate the feasibility of including fatty acids (FA) in selection programs to modify milk fat profile and improve its nutritional quality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters of FA profile predicted by mid-infrared spectroscopy, milk yield, composition, and total and differential somatic cell count. Edited data included 35,331 test-day records of 25,407 Italian Holstein cows from 652 herds. Variance components and heritability were estimated using single-trait repeatability animal models, whereas bivariate repeatability animal models were used to estimate genetic and phenotypic correlations between traits, including the fixed effects of stage of lactation, parity, and herd-test-date, and the random effects of additive genetic animal, cow permanent environment and the residual. Heritabilities and genetic correlations obtained in the present study reflected both the origins of FA (extracted from the blood or synthesized de novo by the mammary gland) and their grouping according to saturation or chain length. In addition, correlations among FA groups were in line with correlation among individual FA. Moderate negative genetic correlations between FA and milk yield and moderate to strong positive correlations with fat, protein, and casein percentages suggest that actual selection programs are currently affecting all FA groups, not only the desired ones (e.g., polyunsaturated FA). The absence of association with differential somatic cell count and the weak association with somatic cell score indicate that selection on FA profile would not affect selection on resistance to mastitis and vice versa. In conclusion, our findings suggest that genetic selection on FA content is feasible, as FA are variable and moderately heritable. Nevertheless, in the light of correlations with other milk traits estimated in this study, a clear breeding goal should first be established.

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Breed and season influence on milk quality parameters and in mastitis occurrence

Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0100-736x2011001200002 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 31 (12) ◽

pp. 1045-1052 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Diego B. Nóbrega ◽

Hélio Langoni

Keyword(s):

Somatic Cell ◽

Cell Count ◽

Rainy Season ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Somatic Cell Count ◽

Dry Season ◽

Milk Quality ◽

Holstein Cows ◽

Total Solids ◽

Jersey Cows

The aims of the present study were to evaluate the performance of Jersey and Holstein cows under different rainfall conditions (dry and rainy seasons) by monitoring aspects related to subclinical mastitis (somatic cell count, microbiological isolation, type of isolated pathogen), milk quality (lactose, protein, fat, total solids) and production (mean milk production) of both breeds. The study was carried out in a dairy farm located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Eight visitations were done to the farm, four in a period of high rainfall and four in a period of low rainfall. Milk samples were collected from 79 Holstein cows and 37 Jersey cows for electronic somatic cell count and determination of the main milk components (protein, fat, total solids, lactose). Milk fat, protein, total solids and production were influenced by breed and the season, with similar tendencies for both breeds in both seasons. Somatic cell count (SCC) showed similar results for both breeds. Holstein cows with intramammary infections (IMI) presented a higher increase in SCC when compared to Jersey cows (P<0.001). In the dry season, 53 animals had IMI in at least one month during the study, which 32 were Holstein and 21 were Jersey cows. In the rainy season, 65 animals had intramammary infection, being 43 Holstein and 22 Jersey cows. The frequency of IMI cases was larger in the rainy season than in the dry season. Jersey cows had a lower chance of showing IMI signs and symptoms than Holstein cows in the rainy season (odds ratio=0.52). The larger number of IMI cases in the rainy season may have led to a lower milk lactose rate for both breeds, thus milk lactose rate can be considered an indicator of IMI status. There was prevalence of contagious pathogens overall in the study. The applied model showed that environmental pathogens were more frequently isolated from the breed Jersey, regardless of the study season. There seems to be differences in the immune response of Jersey and Holstein breeds.

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PSII-3 Daily weather patterns associated with colostrum production in dry cows

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.581 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 316-316

Author(s):

Andrea Connor ◽

Kayla Alward ◽

Alexandra Nin-Leary ◽

Jane Duncan ◽

Rebecca Cockrum

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Somatic Cell ◽

Cell Count ◽

Somatic Cell Count ◽

Poor Quality ◽

Holstein Cows ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Dry Period ◽

Hormone Synthesis ◽

Jersey Cows

Abstract Insufficient consumption of colostrum and/or intake of poor-quality colostrum reduces thriftiness and survival of dairy calves. Additionally, heat stress during gestation of primiparous Holstein cows can impact hormone synthesis, leading to decreased colostrum and milk production. Previous research has primarily focused on Holstein cows who have a larger frame compared to other breeds. It is possible heat stress may impact Jersey cow colostrum production differently. Therefore, the objective of this research was to determine the relationship between temperature-humidity index (THI) and colostrum volume and quality in Jersey cows. Colostrum data was collected from Jersey cows (n = 75) from three farms and compared to the average THI values during the dry period. Colostrum data included volume, Brix score, fat, true protein (TP), solids non-fat (SNF), lactose, somatic cell count (SCC), and urea. Daily air temperature and humidity records were determined via local weather stations and used to calculate THI values. These values were averaged for the far-off and close-up periods. The data were analyzed separately for each farm using linear regression models in R version 1.3.1073. Covariates included season, dry period length, date of colostrum collection, and parity. Close-up and far-off THI tended to predict an increased volume (β=0.3656; P = 0.0724) and somatic cell count (β=82.07; P = 0.0964) for Farm 1. Far-off THI was a significant predictor for Brix for Farm 2 (β=0.2482; P ≤ 0.01) and Farm 3 (β=-0.1762; P ≤ 0.01) and increased Brix score in Farm 2 but decreased it in Farm 3. THI was not a significant predictor for any other colostrum values. Based on these results, we suggest that an increased THI during the far-off period potentially increases Brix score without compromising other values. However, more research is needed to further investigate the effects of the close-up period on volume and of covariates on other values.

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Hyperketonemia Predictions Provide an On-Farm Management Tool with Epidemiological Insights

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11051291 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 1291

Author(s):

Ryan S. Pralle ◽

Joel D. Amdall ◽

Robert H. Fourdraine ◽

Garrett R. Oetzel ◽

Heather M. White

Keyword(s):

Somatic Cell ◽

Cell Count ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Somatic Cell Count ◽

Past Research ◽

Management Tool ◽

Milk Analysis ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

High Throughput Detection

Prediction of hyperketonemia (HYK), a postpartum metabolic disorder in dairy cows, through use of cow and milk data has allowed for high-throughput detection and monitoring during monthly milk sampling. The objective of this study was to determine associations between predicted HYK (pHYK) and production parameters in a dataset generated from routine milk analysis samples. Data from 240,714 lactations across 335 farms were analyzed with multiple linear regression models to determine HYK status. Data on HYK or disease treatment was not solicited. Consistent with past research, pHYK cows had greater previous lactation dry period length, somatic cell count, and dystocia. Cows identified as pHYK had lower milk yield and protein percent but greater milk fat, specifically greater mixed and preformed fatty acids (FA), and greater somatic cell count (SCC). Differential somatic cell count was greater in second and fourth parity pHYK cows. Culling (60d), days open, and number of artificial inseminations were greater in pHYK cows. Hyperketonemia prevalence decreased linearly in herds with greater rolling herd average milk yield. This research confirms previously identified risk factors and negative outcomes associated with pHYK and highlights novel associations with differential SCC, mixed FA, and preformed FA across farm sizes and production levels.

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