Author
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Paape, Max |
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Submitted to: Goat Mastitis Workshop
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 5/8/2002 Publication Date: 5/15/2002 Citation: PAAPE, M.J. MILK SOMETIC CELLS IN GOATS. Goat Mastitis Workshop. 2002. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: The milk somatic cell count (MSCC) is the basis for abnormal milk control programs. The current legal MSCC limit for bulk tank milk for goats in the United States is 1,000 x 103/ml. Milk somatic cell counts for goats are higher than MSCC for cows and sheep. The MSCC for goats free from intramammary infection (IMI) range from 270 to 2,000 x 103/ml. Cell counts for sheep are similar to cows and range from 10 to 200 x 103/ml. Neutrophils comprise the major cell type in milk from uninfected goats and constitute 45 to 74% of the MSCC, compared with 2 to 28% for sheep and cows. The macrophage is the major cell type in milk from cows and sheep. Milk secretion in goats and sheep is largely apocrine in nature and cytoplasmic particles, similar in size to milk somatic cells, are normal constituents of their milk. Concentrations of cytoplasmic particles in sheep milk average 15 x 103/ml while goat milk averages 150 x 103/ml. Therefore, in order to obtain accurate MSCC for goats, only cell counting procedures specific for DNA should be used. While IMI significantly increases MSCC for goats and sheep, non-infectious factors such as parity, stage of lactation, season and milk yield have been related to increased MSCC. An increase in MSCC for goats has been shown to decrease milk and fat yields. Intramammary infusion of antibiotics at dry-off and post milking teat dipping in goats decreased the rate of new intramammary infection and MSCC. Thus, mastitis control practices shown to be efficacious in cows are also effective in goats. |
