HERITABILITIES OF TEAT CONFORMATION TRAITS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH SOMATIC CELL COUNTS IN HOLSTEINS

1980 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
SUSAN HIGGINS ◽  
R. K. MOORE ◽  
B. W. KENNEDY
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Maximum Likelihood Estimates ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Udder Health ◽  
Stage Of Lactation ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Friesian Cows

Teat conformation characteristics were measured on 402 Holstein-Friesian cows in 18 dairy herds in western Quebec and eastern Ontario. The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of heridity on teat conformation traits as well as to examine phenotypic relationships between the traits and somatic cell count as a measure of udder health. Maximum likelihood estimates of heritabilities of teat conformation traits and cell count, transformed to a log scale, were low; usually less than 0.10. Exceptions were length of front teat (h2 = 0.44) and distance of udder to the floor (h2 = 0.41). Significantly higher cell counts were associated with teats that were long, wide, not plumb and bottle (as opposed to cylindrical or funnel) shaped. The most highly correlated trait with cell count was distance of udder to the floor (r = − 0.24). However, many of the significant gross relationships observed were jointly related with age of cow, and when the effects of age of cow at calving, stage of lactation and herd were removed, only length of rear teat and front and rear teat medial diameters had significant influences on cell count.

scholarly journals The relationships between the somatic cell counts in the milk and the fertility of Polish Holstein-Friesian cows

2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (No. 10) ◽  
pp. 433-439
Author(s):  
K Siatka ◽  
A Sawa ◽  
M Bogucki ◽  
D Piwczynski ◽  
S Krezel-Czopek
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Production Level ◽  
Udder Health ◽  
Natural Logarithm ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Service Period ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Friesian Cows

The aim of the study was to analyse the relationship between the somatic cell counts in the milk (the udder health status indicator) and the cow’s fertility, taking the influence of the selected factors into account. The udder health status was determined based on the somatic cell count of the milk from 88 745 test-day records from 55 685 Polish Holstein-Friesian cows. The test-day measurements were made up to 30 days before the first insemination, during the period up to 180 days of the first and second lactation. Because the somatic cell count showed high variation and is not normally distributed, the data were transformed to the natural logarithm scale. Based on the results of the statistical analysis, it was shown that with the increase in the number of somatic cells in the milk, the calving intervals were extended by 11 days (P ≤ 0.01), the service period by around 4 days (P ≤ 0.05), the increase in the services per conception by 0.11 (P ≤ 0.01). There was a statistically significant correlation, weak on the Guilford scale, between the natural logarithm of the somatic cell count and the fertility of the cows: the calving interval – CI (r = 0.050**, P ≤ 0.01), service period – SP (r = 0.016**) end services per conception – SPC (r = 0.019**). Monitoring the number of somatic cells in the milk could contribute to improving the fertility of the cows in particular: in the second lactation in the double lactation (for the CI (r = 0.059**)); in herds with a production level of 7000–9000 kg of milk (for the CI (r = 0.055**), the SP (r = 0.022**) and the SPC (r = 0.024**)); the daily productivity of > 40 kg (for the CI (r = 0.052**), the SP (r = 0.033**) and the SPC (r = 0.029**)), the number of cows in the herd of > 200 (for the CI (r = 0.061**), the SP (r = 0.034**) and the SPC (r = 0.033**)), in the autumn season of the first insemination (for the CI (r = 0.072**), the SP (r = 0.027**) and the SPC (r = 0.031**)). The magnitude of these correlations varied within the classes of the factors such as the daily production level, the age of cows´ lactation number, the season of the first insemination, the herd production level, and the herd size. It appears that the somatic cell count results obtained from the periodic milk recording, considered as an indirect measure of the udder health and used when deciding on the mastitis treatment, could be a useful tool for controlling the fertility in the cows.

scholarly journals Prediction of total quarter milk somatic cell counts based on foremilk sampling

2009 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 326-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Wellnitz ◽  
Marcus G Doherr ◽  
Marta Woloszyn ◽  
Rupert M Bruckmaier
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Practical Reasons ◽  
Udder Health ◽  
Somatic Cell Counts ◽  
Cell Numbers ◽  
Cell Counts

Determination of somatic cell count (SCC) is used worldwide in dairy practice to describe the hygienic status of the milk and the udder health of cows. When SCC is tested on a quarter level to detect single quarters with high SCC levels of cows for practical reasons, mostly foremilk samples after prestimulation (i.e. cleaning of the udder) are used. However, SCC is usually different in different milk fractions. Therefore, the goal of this study was the investigation of the use of foremilk samples for the estimation of total quarter SCC. A total of 378 milkings in 19 dairy cows were performed with a special milking device to drain quarter milk separately. Foremilk samples were taken after udder stimulation and before cluster attachment. SCC was measured in foremilk samples and in total quarter milk. Total quarter milk SCC could not be predicted precisely from foremilk SCC measurements. At relatively high foremilk SCC levels (>300×103 cells/ml) foremilk SCC were higher than total quarter milk. At around (50–300)×103 cells/ml foremilk and total quarter SCC did not differ considerably. Most interestingly, if foremilk SCC was lower than 50×103 cells/ml the total quarter SCC was higher than foremilk SCC. In addition, individual cows showed dramatic variations in foremilk SCC that were not very well related to total quarter milk SCC. In conclusion, foremilk samples are useful to detect high quarter milk SCC to recognize possibly infected quarters, only if precise cell counts are not required. However, foremilk samples can be deceptive if very low cell numbers are to be detected.

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SPEED OF MILKING AND SOMATIC CELL COUNT AND PRODUCTION IN HOLSTEINS

1983 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 781-789 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. K. MOORE ◽  
J. E. MOXLEY ◽  
B. W. KENNEDY ◽  
E. B. BURNSIDE
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Heritability Estimate ◽  
Phenotypic Correlations ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
The Relationship

Milking speed data were obtained for 2604 Holstein-Friesian cows, identified by sire, in test herds located in Quebec and Ontario. Milk samples were collected from each cow and analyzed for somatic cell count. Completed or projected lactation production records were available for this sample of cows. Two-minute yield and total milking time were adjusted for the effect of milk yield at sampling and the raw cell counts were transformed to the natural log scale. Sire and error variances were obtained by maximum likelihood (ML) methods and used to estimate heritabilities of and correlations between traits. The heritability estimate for the adjusted 2-min. yield, 0.23, was higher than that for the adjusted total milking time (0.13), with the estimates for the two unadjusted measures being intermediate (0.18). The phenotypic correlations between milking speed and somatic cell count were small. However, there were two distinct linear phases to the relationship between the adjusted 2-min yield and cell count. Small but significant phenotypic correlations were observed between unadjusted measures of milking speed and lactation production (0.11–0.22); however, correlations were not significant when adjustments were made for the milk yield at sampling. Genetic correlations between milking speed and somatic cell count were moderate to large and indicated an antagonistic relationship between faster milking speed and cell count. Also, the genetic correlations suggested some antagonism between increasing 2-min yield and lactation production, while the relationship between lactation traits and milking time was small. Key words: Milking speed, somatic cell count, correlations, heritabilities, Holsteins

scholarly journals Analysis of the relationship between somatic cell count and fertility in Holstein-Friesian cows

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 33-38
Author(s):  
Weronika Kulpa ◽  
◽  
Anna Sawa ◽  
Małgorzata Jankowska ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Friesian Cows

scholarly journals RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOMATIC CELL COUNT AND ZINC BLOOD SERUM CONCENTRATION IN DAIRY COWS

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-68
Author(s):  
Ivana Davidov ◽  
Miodrag Radinović ◽  
Mihajlo Erdeljan ◽  
Ivan Stančić ◽  
Dragica Stojanović ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Serum ◽  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Somatic Cells ◽  
Subclinical Mastitis ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Spring And Autumn Period ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Friesian Cows

The study was conducted on 15 Holstein-Friesian cows aged between 3 and 5 years kept in the free grazing conditions in summer. The samples of milk were taken twice a year for monitoring subclinical mastitis. In addition to milk samples, the blood samples were taken to determine the concentration of zinc in serum. The occurrence of subclinical mastitis in high yielding cows was estimated based on the values of zinc concentration in blood serum and somatic cells of milk. By analyzing the samples of blood serum, a variation in the concentration of zinc in blood serum was noted depending on the season. Somatic cell count in the spring and autumn period in average was over 400.000/ml milk. Based on statistical analysis, the correlation test, it was concluded that the concentration of zinc in blood serum of cows in the experimental group had no significant effect on the somatic cells count in milk.

The polymorphism in the ?4-defensin gene and its association with production and somatic cell count in Holstein-Friesian cows

2007 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 150-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Bagnicka ◽  
N. Strzałkowska ◽  
K. Flisikowski ◽  
T. Szreder ◽  
A. Jóźwik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Defensin Gene ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Friesian Cows

scholarly journals A pathogen-specific approach towards udder health management in dairy herds: Using culture and somatic cell counts from routine herd investigations

2016 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Inge-Marié Petzer ◽  
Joanne Karzis ◽  
Edward F. Donkin ◽  
Edward C. Webb
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Udder Health ◽  
Somatic Cell Counts ◽  
Milk Samples ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Cell Counts

A dedicated udder health diagnostic programme was developed and used over a 15-year period in South Africa to analyse milk samples based on microbiological and cytological patterns within various groups and for individual cows and udder quarters in dairy herds. These pathogen-specific analyses are utilised for pro-active improvement and management of udder health in South African commercial dairy herds. The programme acts as a monitoring tool and identifies management areas at risk and individual cows with udder disease and uses both quarter and composite milk samples. Intra-mammary infection (IMI) is a dynamic situation and depending on the time a milk sample is taken, false-negative results may be obtained. A new IMI and an infection that is curing may both have low somatic cell counts (SCCs), masking the true bacterial status. SCC in individual infected udder quarters may differ greatly depending on the causative bacterial species, its pathogenicity, the host immune status and the environmental factors involved. A pathogen-specific udder health approach was followed with repeated herd tests to take account of these udder health dynamics. The results of the herd IMI investigation are applied in practice to assist veterinarians, udder health consultants and managers to make informed and specific detailed decisions at both a herd and on an individual cow basis regarding udder health.

Effect of subclinical intramammary infection on somatic cell counts and chemical composition of goats' milk

2007 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 204-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byeng R Min ◽  
Grant Tomita ◽  
Steve P Hart
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Dairy Goats ◽  
Single Strain ◽  
Staph Aureus ◽  
Intramammary Infection ◽  
Stage Of Lactation ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Highly Correlated

We investigated effects of subclinical intramammary infection (IMI) on milk somatic cell count (SCC) and milk composition in udder halves of dairy goats. A total of 35 mixed-age Alpine does (70 udder halves; approximately 55 kg body weight) were rotationally grazed on a mixture of vegetative forages (wheat/berseem clover, sudan grass and cowpeas). Milk samples for bacterial analysis and SCC were collected monthly from both halves from April to September, 2001. Across stages of lactation, 19–31% of udder halves became infected. The prevalence of IMI exhibited quadratic patterns through multi-peaked responses within each stage of lactation. Higher rates of IMI were observed during the early stage of lactation (19% in May) and in the late stage of lactation (31% in September). Coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CNS, 43·7%), Staph. aureus (35·4%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12·4%) were the most prevalent pathogens. Within single-strain IMI, log SCC (6·24) was lower (P<0·01) for CNS than those derived from IMI by Staph. aureus (6·49), Ps. aeruginosa (6·53) or Serratia spp. (6·90). Infected udder halves had a higher average SCC (4761 v. 2259×103 cells/ml; P<0·01) than uninfected halves, but uninfected halves often had similar levels of SCC to infected halves. Daily average milk production was not significantly different between infected and non-infected goats and the relationship between IMI and SCC was not always correlated. Effective mastitis screening requires bacteriological culture since SCC was not highly correlated.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document