Combining total and differential somatic cell count to better assess the association of udder health status with milk yield, composition and coagulation properties in cattle

Bobbo, Tania; Penasa, M.; Cassandro, Martino

doi:10.1080/1828051x.2020.1784804

Cited by 23 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Moreover, the recent implementation of new advanced milk-testing technology has allowed measurement of both traditional somatic cell count (SCC) and new differential somatic cell count (DSCC), which is the ratio of neutrophils plus lymphocytes to total SCC [ 14 ]. This novel udder health trait provides more detailed insights on the inflammatory status of the mammary gland and the combined use of SCC and DSCC has been proposed as a novel approach to screen for udder health status [ 15 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Parameters of Bovine Milk Fatty Acid Profile, Yield, Composition, Total and Differential Somatic Cell Count

Bobbo

Penasa

Cassandro

2020

Animals

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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.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Parameters of Bovine Milk Fatty Acid Profile, Yield, Composition, Total and Differential Somatic Cell Count

Bobbo

Penasa

Cassandro

2020

Animals

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“…For all tested periods, DSCC was always below 70%, with the only exception of the MLG period (70.22%; Table 5 ), which was close to the threshold proposed by Zecconi et al [ 53 ] to identify subclinical mastitis. The results of the present study suggest only a slight deterioration of mammary health status at the end of the summer season (i.e., MLG), mostly in terms of udder susceptibility rather than the onset of overt mastitis [ 29 ]. As for DSCC, comparison with the literature is difficult since, to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that has investigated DSCC before and during grazing.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, the recent implementation of new milk-testing technologies has allowed the routine recording of differential somatic cell count (DSCC), which is the ratio of neutrophils plus lymphocytes to the total SCC [ 28 ]. The novel DSCC trait, in combination with traditional SCC, provides a more precise indication of dairy cows’ udder health status and helps farmers identify healthy cows from those susceptible to the disease or with acute or chronic mastitis [ 29 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dairy Cows’ Health during Alpine Summer Grazing as Assessed by Milk Traits, Including Differential Somatic Cell Count: A Case Study from Italy

Niero

Bobbo

Callegaro

et al. 2021

Animals

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Extensive summer grazing is a dairy herd management practice frequently adopted in mountainous areas. Nowadays, this activity is threatened by its high labour demand, but it is fundamental for environmental, touristic and economic implications, as well as for the preservation of social and cultural traditions. Scarce information on the effects of such low-input farming systems on cattle health is available. Therefore, the present case study aimed at investigating how grazing may affect the health status of dairy cows by using milk traits routinely available from the national milk recording scheme. The research involved a dairy herd of 52 Simmental and 19 Holstein × Simmental crossbred cows. The herd had access to the pasture according to a rotational grazing scheme from late spring up to the end of summer. A total of 616 test day records collected immediately before and during the grazing season were used. Individual milk yield was registered during the milking procedure. Milk samples were analysed for composition (fat, protein, casein and lactose contents) and health-related milk indicators (electrical conductivity, urea and β-hydroxybutyrate) using mid-infrared spectroscopy. Somatic cell count (SCC) and differential SCC were also determined. Data were analysed with a linear mixed model, which included the fixed effects of the period of sampling, cow breed, stage of lactation and parity, and the random effects of cow nested within breed and the residual. The transition from barn farming to pasture had a negative effect on milk yield, together with a small deterioration of fat and protein percentages. Health-related milk indicators showed a minor deterioration of the fat to protein ratio, differential SCC and electrical conductivity, particularly towards the end of the grazing season, whereas the somatic cell score and β-hydroxybutyrate were relatively constant. Overall, the study showed that, when properly managed, pasture grazing does not have detrimental effects on dairy cows in terms of udder health and efficiency. Therefore, the proper management of cows on pasture can be a valuable solution to preserve the economic, social and environmental sustainability of small dairy farms in the alpine regions, without impairing cows’ health.

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“…They found that cows in groups B, C, and D produced 0.9–2.4%, 6–9.8%, and 17.5–38.5% less milk than cows in group A, respectively. The same approach was used by Bobbo et al ( 35 ) to study the association between milk yield and composition and SCC combined with F-DSCC. The authors found that cows in group B had slightly higher milk production than those in group A, while cows in groups C and D had lower milk production than those in groups A and B.…”

Section: Dscc and Milk Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The authors found that cows in group B had slightly higher milk production than those in group A, while cows in groups C and D had lower milk production than those in groups A and B. The picture was opposite for fat and protein production, perhaps due to a concentration effect as a result of the reduced milk production ( 35 ). In another recent study, Zecconi et al ( 32 ) found no significant association between milk production and F-DSCC for cows with SCC <50,000 cells/ml.…”

Section: Dscc and Milk Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential Somatic Cell Count: Value for Udder Health Management

Halasa

Kirkeby

2020

Front. Vet. Sci.

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Intramammary infection (IMI) can cause mastitis, which is one of the costliest and most prevalent diseases in dairy cattle herds. Somatic cell count (SCC) is a well-established parameter to indicate IMI, and it represents the total count of immune cells in the milk. The differential somatic cell count (DSCC) has also long been suggested to indicate IMI, but no machine was available until recently to provide this parameter automatically. Two new machines have recently been introduced to measure the milk DSCC as an additional indicator of IMI. Here we provide insights about the DSCC measured by these two machines and the value it may provide for udder health management, based on the available literature. We also provide perspectives for future research to investigate potential value in using the DSCC to improve udder health.

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Combining total and differential somatic cell count to better assess the association of udder health status with milk yield, composition and coagulation properties in cattle

Abstract: Cassandro (2020) Combining total and differential somatic cell count to better assess the association of udder health status with milk yield, composition and coagulation properties in cattle,

Cited by 23 publications

References 29 publications

Genetic Parameters of Bovine Milk Fatty Acid Profile, Yield, Composition, Total and Differential Somatic Cell Count

Genetic Parameters of Bovine Milk Fatty Acid Profile, Yield, Composition, Total and Differential Somatic Cell Count

Dairy Cows’ Health during Alpine Summer Grazing as Assessed by Milk Traits, Including Differential Somatic Cell Count: A Case Study from Italy

Differential Somatic Cell Count: Value for Udder Health Management

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