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

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.

Download Full-text

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

Acta agriculturae Slovenica ◽

10.14720/aas.2017.110.1.5 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 110 (1) ◽

pp. 37

Author(s):

Arash CHEGINI ◽

Navid GHAVI HOSSEIN-ZADEH ◽

Hossein HOSSEINI-MOGHADAM ◽

Abdol Ahad SHADPARVAR

Keyword(s):

Somatic Cell ◽

Cell Count ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Somatic Cell Count ◽

Repeated Measurements ◽

Somatic Cell Score ◽

Holstein Cows ◽

Dry Period ◽

Protein Percentage

<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>

Download Full-text

Differential Somatic Cell Count as a Marker for Changes of Milk Composition in Cows with Very Low Somatic Cell Count

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10040604 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 604 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Alfonso Zecconi ◽

Francesca Dell’Orco ◽

Diego Vairani ◽

Nicoletta Rizzi ◽

Micaela Cipolla ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Somatic Cell ◽

Cell Count ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Somatic Cell Count ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Cow Milk ◽

Udder Health ◽

Lactating Cows ◽

Accuracy Of Measurements ◽

The Relationship

The recent availability of a high-throughput milk analyzer performing a partial differential somatic cell count (DSCC) opened new opportunities in investigations on bovine udder health. This analyzer has a potential limitation on the accuracy of measurements when the somatic cell count (SCC) is below 50,000 cells/mL, values characterizing a good proportion of lactating cows in many herds. We obtained data for cows below this threshold, assessed the repeatability of these measurements and investigated the relationship between DSCC and udder health, milk composition and yield. Overall, 3022 cow milk test records performed on a Fossomatic™ 7/DC (Foss A/S, Hillerød, Denmark) were considered; 901 of them had an SCC ≤ 50,000 cells/mL. These latter samples were analyzed by qPCR to identify the presence of bacteria. Overall, 20.75% of the samples (187) were positive. However, the health status did not have any significant association with DSCC. The analysis of the association of DSCC on milk fat, protein and casein showed a significant decrease in their proportions as the DSCC increased, whereas it was not observed for milk yield and lactose. Therefore, DSCC in very low SCC cows may be suggested as a marker to identify early changes in milk composition.

Download Full-text

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.

Download Full-text

Genetic and environmental factors influencing milk, protein and fat yields of pasture-based dairy cows in Tasmania

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an09084 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 50 (4) ◽

pp. 265 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

S. A. Adediran ◽

P. Nish ◽

D. J. Donaghy ◽

D. A. Ratkowsky ◽

A. E. O. Malau-Aduli

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Somatic Cell ◽

Cell Count ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Somatic Cell Count ◽

Milk Protein ◽

Herd Size ◽

Production Traits ◽

Phenotypic Correlations ◽

Genetic And Phenotypic Correlations

The objective of this study was to provide an update on milk production performance, heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations among production traits that are valuable for management, breeding and selection decisions in pasture-based dairy systems. The study utilised a total of 106 990 lactation records of Holstein–Friesian (FF), Jersey (JJ) and their crossbreds (HF) from 428 Tasmanian dairy herds collected between 2000 and 2005. The data were analysed using the least-squares approach with a general linear model and restricted maximum likelihood approach with a linear animal model. Results indicated highly significant (P < 0.01) effects of breed, herd size, cow’s parity, season and year of calving on milk, protein and fat yields. Average milk and protein yields per cow per lactation were highest in the FF breed (5212 L and 171 kg, respectively) and lowest in the JJ breed (3713 L and 143 kg, respectively). FF cows also produced 13.5 kg more milk fat than JJ and HF cows. Furthermore, milk, fat and protein yields were highest for cows calving during spring and lowest for autumn-calving cows. It was also evident that cows in very large herds (>1110 cows/herd) out-produced those in smaller herds. Heritability was highest for milk yield and lowest for somatic cell count ranging from 0.28 to 0.41. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between milk, fat and protein yields ranged from 0.41 to 0.85, and 0.66 to 0.92, respectively. However, genetic and phenotypic correlations between the log of somatic cell count and the production traits ranged from 0.03 to 0.09 and –0.03 to –0.05. We conclude that breed, herd size, parity, season and year of calving were among the main factors correlated with the productivity of dairy cows in Tasmania and adjustments for these factors would be mandatory for any unbiased comparison of lactation performance within and between pasture-based dairy production systems. The practical application of this information would be valuable to dairy farmers for decisions related to breeding, selection and management of their herds.

Download Full-text

Effect of Age on Somatic Cell Count And Milk Composition in Sheep Milk

The Journal of The University of Duhok ◽

10.26682/sjuod.2020.23.2.13 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 114-117

Author(s):

Nazik Mahmood Ilyas

Keyword(s):

Somatic Cell ◽

Cell Count ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Somatic Cell Count ◽

Subclinical Mastitis ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Milk Samples ◽

Sheep Milk ◽

Three Stages ◽

The Impact

A total of 50 sheep milk samples during lactations were used to investigate the impact of subclinical mastitis induced Somatic Cell Count (SCC) increase on changes in chemical composition in milk. Samples were collected and analyzed for fat, protein, lactose, solids non-fat (SNF) and total solids (TS) and SCC. Within three stages of lactation, all milk samples were analyzed for three times. The highest average of SCC was recorded in ewes aged 4 years (46.67) while lowest average was recorded at the age of 3-3.5 years (34.24%). Protein content was highest at ewes aged 1-1.5, whereas highest lactose percentage recorded at ewes aged 3-3.5. In conclusion, in high SCC milk, lactose content may be more indicative of SCC level than milk fat, protein, SNF and TS during lactation. Age of ewes is an important factor affecting milk composition, thus is a necessary parameter in optimizing sheep milk quality in conditions of subclinical mastitis.

Download Full-text

A precise, low-cost milk sampler to enable the analysis of fat, protein, lactose and somatic cells in milk from individual cows

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea07152 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 47 (9) ◽

pp. 1100

Author(s):

T. Clarke ◽

M. C. Hannah ◽

H. Wientjes

Keyword(s):

Somatic Cell ◽

Cell Count ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Somatic Cell Count ◽

Low Cost ◽

Milk Composition ◽

International Committee ◽

Lactation Period ◽

Dairy Farmers ◽

Milk Samples

Less than half of Australian dairy farmers undertake production recording that normally requires the collection of milk samples for the measurements of fat, protein and lactose percentages and somatic cell count. Usually the milk samples are collected from individual animals on a ‘one-day-per-month’ basis by temporary milk-metering or sampling devices. Farmers who do not participate in production recording programs may be encouraged to do so if they could use a simple, robust, inexpensive, convenient and precise sampler. A sampler has been developed to meet these criteria. In this paper we report on the precision and bias of the new sampler with respect to milk composition and somatic cell count by comparison with samples collected by test buckets. For milk fat, the precision was only 3.1% and bias was +0.002% coefficient of variation. Precision for fat yield over a lactation period increases by only 0.02% when compared with results based on samplers that are approved by the International Committee for Animal Recording. We consider that the combination of low sampler cost and low sampler errors makes the new sampler aptly suited for production recording and monitoring somatic cell count.

Download Full-text

Estimating the impact of somatic cell count on the value of milk utilising parameters obtained from the published literature

Journal of Dairy Research ◽

10.1017/s0022029914000053 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 81 (2) ◽

pp. 223-232 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Una Geary ◽

Nicolas Lopez-Villalobos ◽

Bernadette O'Brien ◽

Dorian J Garrick ◽

Laurence Shalloo

Keyword(s):

Somatic Cell ◽

Cell Count ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Somatic Cell Count ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Raw Milk ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Sector Model ◽

Market Values ◽

The Impact

The impact of mastitis on milk value per litre independent of the effect of mastitis on milk volume, was quantified for Ireland using a meta-analysis and a processing sector model. Changes in raw milk composition, cheese processing and composition associated with increased bulk milk somatic cell count (BMSCC) were incorporated into the model. Processing costs and market values were representative of current industry values. It was assumed that as BMSCC increased (i) milk fat and milk protein increased and milk lactose decreased, (ii) fat and protein recoveries decreased, (iii) cheese protein decreased and cheese moisture increased. Five BMSCC categories were examined from ⩽100 000 to >400 000 cells/ml. The analysis showed that as BMSCC increased the production quantities reduced. An increase in BMSCC from 100 000 to >400 000 cells/ml saw a reduction in net revenue of 3·2% per annum (€51·3 million) which corresponded to a reduction in the value of raw milk of €0·0096 cents/l.

Download Full-text

The effect of suckling following mechanical milking on milk yield, milk composition and somatic cell count in dairy cattle

BSAP Occasional Publication ◽

10.1017/s1463981500040802 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 25 ◽

pp. 175-177 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J.K. Margerison ◽

C.J.C. Phillips

Keyword(s):

Somatic Cell ◽

Cell Count ◽

Protein Content ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Somatic Cell Count ◽

Milk Protein ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Fat Content ◽

Daily Milk Yield

AbstractSuckling following mechanical milking is common practice in organic dairy production systems and in developing countries. The objective of the experimental work was to assess the effect of suckling and suckling frequency following mechanical milking on milk yield, milk composition and somatic cell count. Two experiments were completed using multiparous dairy cows allocated at 3 days post partum to their respective treatment groups. In experiment one, twenty–four multiparous dairy cows were allocated to one of two treatments for 305 days; 12 cows not suckled (NS) and 12 cows, which were suckled twice daily following mechanical milking (S2). Daily milk yield was significantly greater (P<0.05) in suckled cows, NS 8.0, S2 8.9 (sem 0.18) kg/d. Milk fat content was significantly lower (P<0.05) in suckled cows (NS 32.0, S2 30.7 (sem 0.56) g/kg). However, milk protein was not significantly different in suckled cows, NS 29.2, S2 27.6 (sem 10.79) g/kg compared with non suckled cows. Somatic cell count was significantly lower (P<0.05) in suckled cows NS 106, S2 85 (sem 2.85) 000/ml, compared with non suckled cows. In experiment two, thirty-eight cows were allocated one of two treatments for 120 days; 19 cows not suckled (NS) and 19 cows, which were suckled once daily following the afternoon milking (S1). Suckling took place for fifteen minutes daily following machine milking only. The calves were weaned at 6 months of age. Total daily milk yield was significantly greater (P<0.05) in suckled cows, NS 11.7, S1 12.5 (sem 0.04) (kg/d) compared with non suckled cows. The milk fat and protein content were not significantly different in suckled and non suckled cows. Milk fat content NS 33.4, S1 32.9 (sem 0.14) g/kg and milk protein content NS 29.8, S1 30.0 (sem 0.07) g/kg. In conclusion, suckled cows had significantly higher milk yields. Cows suckled twice daily had significantly lower milk fat content. Suckling did not affect milk protein content. Suckling cows twice daily significantly reduced SCC.

Download Full-text

Alterations in the Hemato-biochemical, Endocrine, Somatic Cell Count and Milk Composition in Lactating Tarai Buffaloes during Different Lactation Stages

Indian Journal of Animal Research ◽

10.18805/ijar.b-4462 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ruokuobeinuo Huozha ◽

Joydip Mukherjee ◽

Rizwana Begum ◽

Sunil Kumar Rastogi

Keyword(s):

Somatic Cell ◽

Cell Count ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Somatic Cell Count ◽

Hematological Parameters ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Early Lactation ◽

Lactation Stage ◽

Lower Plasma Glucose ◽

Calcium Phosphorus

Background: Tarai buffalo is indigenous buffalo breed of Uttarakhand state, dual purpose, well adapt to hot-humid climatic condition of Tarai area. This study aimed to evaluate the alterations in the hemato-biochemical, endocrine, milk somatic cell count and milk composition in lactating Tarai buffaloes. Methods: Thirty-six healthy Tarai buffaloes were selected from four different Gujjar farms and divided into four groups consisting nine buffaloes in each group as early (60±30 days), mid (120±30 days) and late (180±30 days) lactation stages and dry buffaloes. Both blood and milk samples were collected once from each lactation stage of selected animals. Hematological parameters and milk composition were evaluated by standard procedures and methods. Biochemical and endocrine parameters were evaluated using commercially available kits as per manufacturer’s protocol. Milk somatic cell count (SCC) was done by direct microscopic counts using Newman Lampert stain. Result: It observed significantly (p less than 0.05) higher TLC value but lower plasma glucose, cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus and urea levels during early lactation stage. Significantly (p less than 0.05) declined in plasma total protein during late lactation stage and triglyceride in dry cows. Plasma hormone significantly (p less than 0.05) higher in cortisol during early lactation while higher T4 and insulin in late lactation stages. Milk fat, urea and total solids were significantly (p less than 0.05) decreased during early lactation and again increased during late lactation while milk SCC significantly (p less than 0.05) higher during early and late lactation stages.

Download Full-text

Short-term effects of frequent milking of dairy cows

Journal of Dairy Research ◽

10.1017/s0022029900029101 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 56 (4) ◽

pp. 587-592 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Renee Van Der Iest ◽

J. Eric Hillerton

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Somatic Cell ◽

Cell Count ◽

Milk Production ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Somatic Cell Count ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Short Term ◽

Robotic Milking ◽

Experimental Values

SummaryWhen six cows were milked every 4 h over 48 h the average milk yield per cow increased by 1O·7% for the last 24 h period compared with the previous 5 d. Milk composition was similar to pre-experimental values although fat content was 0·5% lower in the last 24 h. The somatic cell count rose to twice the pre-experimental value over the first 24 h but was not significantly different by the second 24 h. It appears that cows responded quickly to an increased frequency of milking and milk of an acceptable composition was produced. This has implications for management of milk production where quotas are in operation and for robotic milking systems.

Download Full-text