Related Experiment Videos
Somatic cell counts of ewes' milk.
G C Fthenakis1, E T el-Masannat, J M Booth
1Department of Animal Health, Royal Veterinary College, Potters Bar.
The British Veterinary Journal
|November 1, 1991
Summary
Somatic cell counts in ewes' milk can indicate udder health. Counts over 1.0 x 10(6) cells/ml suggest subclinical mastitis in clinically healthy mammary glands.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Dairy Science
- Animal Health
Background:
- Somatic cell count (SCC) is a key indicator of milk quality and udder health in dairy animals.
- Elevated SCC in milk often signifies intramammary infections, commonly known as mastitis.
- Establishing reliable SCC thresholds is crucial for diagnosing subclinical mastitis in sheep.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the somatic cell counts in apparently normal and bacteriologically positive ewe milk samples.
- To establish a threshold for somatic cell counts indicative of subclinical mastitis in ewes.
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of electronic particle counters for assessing ewe milk quality.
Main Methods:
- Milk samples from 1408 apparently normal and 254 bacteriologically positive ewes were analyzed.
- Somatic cell counts were determined using an electronic particle counter (Coulter Counter).
- Statistical analysis was performed to correlate SCC with bacteriological findings and clinical health status.
Main Results:
- 98.2% of apparently normal milk samples had SCC below 1.0 x 10(6) cells/ml.
- 85.8% of bacteriologically positive samples exhibited SCC higher than 1.0 x 10(6) cells/ml.
- A threshold of 1.0 x 10(6) cells/ml was identified as a potential indicator of subclinical mastitis.
Conclusions:
- Somatic cell counts exceeding 1.0 x 10(6) cells/ml in ewes' milk are strongly associated with subclinical mastitis.
- Electronic particle counters provide an efficient method for quantifying SCC in ewe milk.
- Monitoring SCC is a valuable tool for early detection and management of mastitis in sheep farming.