Prevalence of Bovine Mastitis in the Western Region of Cameroon

Mastitis is the major disease in milking cows causing huge losses to the dairy industry worldwide. It is in view to contribute to the eradication of this pathology that the present study was carried out in cattle farms of the West Region of Cameroon from March 2020 to November 2020. A total of 473 lactating cows of local and improved breeds were screened for mastitis. Screening for clinical and sub-clinical mastitis was based on the observation of clinical signs and on the use of the California Mastitis Test (CMT) respectively. The overall prevalence was 34.88%, among which 9.72% and 25.16% represented clinical and subclinical mastitis respectively. In summary, the factors influencing the occurrence of mastitis were: the divisions surveyed (p<0.001), breed type (p=0.003), age range (p<0,001), farm type (p=0.05), soil type (p<0,001), cleaning frequency (p<0.001), feeding method (p<0.001), hygiene of udder (p=0.05) and stage of lactation (p=0.02). The results obtained allow us to recommend an improvement of the breeding conditions to prevent mastitis, because once mastitis appears in a farm, it becomes very difficult to eradicate it.

The Effect of Lactation Stage on the Hematological and Serum-Related Biochemical Parameters of the Travnik Pramenka Ewes

The aim of the present research was to determine the hematological and biochemical parameters of the Travnik pramenka ewes during lactation. Thirty‐six ewes in average age of 3-5 years were included in the research. They were monitored in three stages of lactation: early, medium, and late stage. The WBC and RBC, HGB concentration, HCT and MCH values increased significantly as lactation progressed, while significant decrease of MCV and MCHC was determined in blood. HCT was slightly higher in the early compared to late stage, and the MCH in the medium compared to the late stage of lactation. A significant increase in the concentrations of Ca, P, Mg, Na and Cl, as well as a decrease of the Fe concentration was determined. As lactation progressed, the concentrations of urea, total proteins, albumin, globulin and BHB increased, as well as ALT activity. Contrary, concentrations of glucose and NEFA decreased, as well as GGT activity. Obtained results may help in monitoring the health and nutritional status of Travnik ewes. The effect of lactation stage needs to be included in the model when preparing the reference values for the blood parameters of Travnik pramenka ewes, particularly for RBC profiles, energy, and protein metabolites as well as liver enzymes.

Changes in the concentrations of selected toxic and essential elements in ewe milk from area with a potentially undisturbed environment

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of lactation on the concentration of selected essential and toxic elements in sheep milk from an area of Slovakia with a potentially undisturbed environment and to find out the actual contamination of the selected area, in the aspect of its environmental character. The research was conducted with 400 sheep (Tsigai breed), and the milk samples were taken during the lactation periods (early, middle and late lactation stage). Sheep were reared on the extensive pastures, reared indoors afterward, fed with pasture ad libitum. Milk samples were collected after morning and afternoon milking. The samples of milk were analysed toxic and essential elements (Ca, Se, Mg, Zn, Fe, Cu, As, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb) by the method of atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The macro elements concentration in milk changes following the stages of lactation (p<0.05). There was found that Ca milk concentration increased gradually in the following stages of lactation while Mg, Se, and Fe only in the last stage of lactation. The Zn concentration in milk was the highest during summer (p<0.05). Simultaneously the contents of essential elements (Cu) and toxic elements (As, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb) in milk were very low, below the limit of quantification. In conclusion, ewe's milk from potentially analysed areas of Slovakia is safe and poses no risk to consumer health, and is suitable for use directly or in dairy processing.

Effect of milking time, lactation stage and udder traits on milk yield of Red Sokoto and Boer goats in semi-arid, Nigeria

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of milking time, lactation stage and udder traits on milk yield of Red Sokoto and Boer goats at the farm of Centre for Dry-land Agriculture, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria. The first evaluation of milk yield was done at early stage of lactation starting after day seven of kidding to exclude colostrum. Daily collection of milk samples followed in the morning and evening until 10 weeks of lactation. The weeks were divided into 3 stages of lactation as early, mid and late lactation stages. Milk samples were measured using a 100 mL measuring cylinder and later converted into grammes. The external udder measurements were taken in cm after seven days post kidding and fortnightly for the period of lactation. The result obtained shows significant difference (p<0.05) in the total morning milk yield between the goats. The total morning milk yield was higher (2642.00 ± 3.18 g) in the Boer goats than in the Red Sokoto (2371.50± 3.18 g). However, the average daily milk yield, total milk yield and total evening milk yield were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by the breeds of goat. Mean milk yield was significantly (p<0.05) influenced by stage of lactation and time of milking. The milk yield was significantly higher (98.91 g) in the late lactation while the least was obtained in the mid stage of lactation (65.44 g). Moreover, the morning milk yield was significantly higher than the evening milk yield. A significant interaction effect (p<0.05) of lactation stage and milking time was similarly observed. The results indicated that breed significantly (p<0.05) influenced most of the udder traits except UC, UW and TFD. Significantly (p<0.05) higher values of UL, UW, TC, RTL, LTL, CH and TFD were recorded in the Red Sokoto. Furthermore, the Boer goat breed had significantly higher values of NT, UC and DBT. Le but de l'étude était d'évaluer l'effet de la traite de traite, de la phase de lactation et des traits de la piste sur le rendement du lait de Red Sokoto et des chèvres de Boer à la ferme du Centre d'agriculture à sec, de l'Université Bayero Kano, du Nigéria. La première évaluation du rendement en lait a été effectuée à un stade précoce de l'allaitement à partir de sept jours de blague pour exclure le colostrum. La collecte quotidienne d'échantillons de lait a suivi le matin et le soir jusqu'à 10 semaines de lactation. Les semaines ont été divisées en 3 étapes de la lactation comme des étapes de début et de lactation tardive. Les échantillons de lait ont été mesurés à l'aide d'un cylindre de mesure de 100 ml et convertis ultérieurement en grammes. Les mensurations externes de la mamelle ont été prises en cm après sept jours après la mise bas et tous les quinze jours pendant la période de lactation. Le résultat obtenu présente une différence significative (p <0,05) dans le rendement le lait total du matin entre les chèvres. Le rendement au lait total du matin était plus élevé (2642,00 ± 3,18 g) dans les chèvres Boer que dans le Sokoto rouge (2371.50 ± 3,18 g). Cependant, le rendement quotidien moyen quotidien, le rendement total du lait et le rendement au lait total de la soirée n'étaient pas significativement (p> 0,05) affectés par les races de chèvre. Le rendement en lait moyen était significativement (p <0,05) influencé par la phase de lactation et du temps de traite. Le rendement en lait était significativement plus élevé (98,91 g) à la fin de la lactation, tandis que le moindre a été obtenu au stade moyen de la lactation (65,44 g). De plus, le rendement au lait du matin était nettement supérieur au rendement le lait du soir. Un effet d'interaction significatif (P <0,05) de stade de lactation et de délai de traite a été observé de la même manière. Les résultats ont indiqué que la race de manière significative (p <0,05) a influencé la plupart des traits de pis de la piste, à l'exception des UC, UW et TFD. De manière significative (p <0,05) des valeurs plus élevées d'UL, UW, TC, RTL, LTL, CH et TFD ont été enregistrées dans le Red Sokoto. De plus, la race de chèvre Boer avait des valeurs significativement plus élevées de NT, UC et DBT.

Impact of parity, stage of lactation, and subclincal mastitis on the concentration of vitamin C in Shami camel milk

A study was conducted at Deir Al-Hajar Research Station for Shami Camels, Administration of Livestock Research, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR) in the years 2019 and 2020 to describe the associations between vitamin C concentrations in milk, and either stage of lactation, parity or the presence of mastitis. For this purpose, thirty lactating Shami camels from different parities were used. Milk samples were collected monthly over one entire lactation season lasting 11 months. The concentration of vitamin C was 35.01±9.81 mg/l milk and ranged between 33.01 and 36.80 mg/L milk during considered parities without significant differences in its concentration .However, vitamin C concentration was affected by lactation month P<0.0.5, and the values ranged between 18.99 and 53.03 mg/l milk during the course of lactation. An evident decline in vitamin C concentration in camel milk appeared with positive interactions for California test by 20-50%. The average concentration of vitamin C in milk produced from healthy and infected udders was 35.01±9.81 mg/l and 22.99±1.30 mg/l, respectively.

Risk Factors of Forced Take-Off in Dairy Cows Milked Three Times per Day in A Rotary Milking Parlor: A Case Control Study

The aims of the research were to: (1) describe a protocol for the identification of cows that are subjected repeatedly to a forced retraction event at the end of milking; (2) study risk factors of repeated forced take-off (RFTO); and (3) assess the average milk flow rate at which the forced retraction event occurred. In a retrospective study, we collected milk flow data over a 1-week period from a 4300-cow dairy with a rotary milking parlor and a thrice-daily milking schedule. We identified 109 cases of RFTO and 2467 controls. A multivariable logistic regression model revealed associations of parity, stage of lactation, average daily milk production, and milking speed with RFTO. Cows in parity 3 or greater, animals ≤100 days in milk, high-producing animals, and cows with low milking speed had higher odds of RFTO. The average (least squares means (95% CI)) milk flow rates at the time of removal of the milking unit were 2.1 (2.0–2.1) kg/min in milking observations that were terminated with the forced retract and 1.5 (1.4–1.5) kg/min when milking units were removed with the automatic cluster remover. Future research to better understand the effect of RFTO on milk production, udder health, and animal well-being is warranted.

Evaluation of Milk Production and Milk Composition at Different Stages of Saanen Dairy Goats

Milk is an important elements due to its high nutritious and balanced in human diet. In Asian, goat milk is the most consumed because of the unique taste, more nutritious than cow milk. However, milk production and composition values differ at every stage of lactation in goats. Thus, determining the highest milk production and producing the best quality goat milk is essential to satisfy the local market demands. The objective of the present study is to determine the milk yield and milk composition at different lactation stages and to evaluate the lactation curves in Saanen goats. The lactation stages can be categorized into three, early (less than 80 days), mid (80 – 140 days) and late (over 140 days) days in milk (DIM). In total, 90 milk samples were collected from 15 goats representing early (n=5), mid (n=5), and late (n=5) stages of lactation. The Saanen goats were raised under the same conditions, and milking was done early in the morning (9.00am).The milk yield from Saanen goats were collected and measured weekly at each stage of lactation. Milk samples were analyzed for fat, protein, solid non-fat, and lactose. Current result illustrated, there were significant different (p ˂ 0.05) among three stages of lactation in milk yield, solid non-fat, fat, protein and lactose. In terms of food regulation, the Saanen goats almost fully met the standard requirements for milk production and composition. In addition, this study also observes the lactation curves in Saanen goats and analyse the curve shapes and patterns. The average milk yields from three different stages develops a concave downward curve. The results indicated that mid yield increased from early to mid- lactation and decreased thereafter until the end of lactation.

Summer Pasture in Mountainous Area Affects Milk Fatty Acid Profile of Dual-Purpose Cows

The change in feeding regime of dairy herds using summer grazing in mountainous areas has several implications on cows’ productivity and milk composition. The present study quantified the effect of summer grazing on the milk fatty acids (FA) profile of Simmental and crossbred cows in an alpine holding. A total of 616 milk samples of 71 cows were collected 3 days before the onset of the grazing season until 91 days of grazing. Individual and groups of FA were quantified through mid-infrared spectroscopy. Data were analysed using a linear mixed model including the fixed effects of breed, stage of lactation, parity, sampling period, and the random effects of cows nested within breed and the residual. The stage of lactation and the sampling period were the most significant factors associated with milk FA. The variance explained by the random cow effect ranged from 15.10% (C18:1) to 25.31% (medium-chain FA). The concentration of C14:0, C16:0, and short- and medium-chain FA decreased across the summer season. Long-chain FA and polyunsaturated FA concentrations were greater in milk obtained at pasture compared with milk obtained indoors. Given these outcomes, the present study demonstrated the positive effect of grazing on milk FA composition from a nutraceutical point of view.