Genetic improvement of mastitis through selection on somatic cell count
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1Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Food Animal Practice
|November 1, 1993
Abstract:
Heredity influences both clinical mastitis and somatic cell score. Intramammary infection is the major cause of elevated somatic cell score. A nationwide program of genetic evaluation of dairy cattle for somatic cell score is being developed. Proper selection of artificial insemination sires, considering their genetic merit for both milk production and somatic cell score, will reduce the genetic increase in mastitis susceptibility that accompanies selection for high production.