Physiological Aspects of Milk Somatic Cell Count in Dairy Cattle

Authors

  • Kaskous, S. Department of Research and Development, Siliconform, Schelmengriesstrasse 1, 86842 Türkheim, GERMANY

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5455/ijlr.20210518075402%20%20%20%20%20%20%20

Keywords:

Cow, Milk, Milking Machine, MultiLactor, Milk processing, Physiology, Somatic Cell Count

Abstract

An assessment criterion for the raw milk quality and the udder health of dairy cattle is the milk somatic cell count (SCC). Somatic cells are part of the udders' immune system and the protective mechanisms of the mammary gland. They are always present in milk, but increase when an infectious agent enters the udder or the udder is injured. The present study sheds light on some physiological aspects of milk SCC in dairy cattle. Somatic cell counts of up to 100,000 cells/ml milk at the individual animal level are referred to as the normal physiological range. However, the number and the differential cell pattern of these cells in healthy dairy cattle is determined by physiological factors such as milking fraction, lactation stage, parity and breed of the dairy cattle. The following proportions of SCC are found in the milk produced in a healthy udder: macrophages (58%), polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) (12 %), lymphocytes (28%) and epithelial cells (2%) of the total SCC. If the udder is contaminated, the SCC in the milk increases sharply and the PMN content of the milk also increases significantly (up to 90%). It is noteworthy that not every increase in SCC in milk indicates an infection of the udder. There are around 15% milk samples that contain a higher number of cells and at the same time no pathogens are present in the udder. Furthermore, the SCC level and the milk quality depend on the milking technology and routine. Thus, the milking machine is seen as an important factor in milk performance and quality. Due to the observed effects, the use of a quarter individual milking system “MultiLactor” has a positive significant impact on udder health and therefore the SCC remains in the range of the physiological level. In addition, it is necessary to adapt the housing system to the requirements of the dairy cattle to stabilize a low SCC and healthy udders. It is also noted that increasing SCC in milk is a decrease in raw milk quality, which affects milk processing. Therefore, the researcher suggests that the upper limit for SCC for cheese milk should be 100,000 per ml. In conclusion, prevention is the key to long-term low milk SCC. This can be achieved through the use of the right milking technology, appropriate husbandry, good feeding and implementation of hygiene measures.

References

Ahlman, T. (2010). Organic dairy production–herd characteristics and genotype by environment interactions. Doctoral Thesis, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala., 1-59.

Alhussien, M.N. and Dang, A.K. (2018). Milk somatic cells, factors influencing their release, future prospects, and practical utility in dairy animals- an overview. Veterinary World, 11(5), 562-577.

Alhussien, M.N., Manjari, P., Shekh, A.A., Mohammed Seman, S., Reddi, S., Mohanty, A.K., Mukherjee, J. and Dang, A.K. (2016). Immunological attributes of blood and milk neutrophils isolated from crossbred cows during different physiological conditions. Czech Journal of Animal Science, 61, 223-231.

Auldist, M.J., Coats S., Sutherland B.J., Mayes, J.J. and McDowell, G.H. (1996). Effects of somatic cell count and stage of lactation on raw milk composition and the yield and quality of cheddar cheese. Journal of Dairy Research, 63, 269-280.

Barbano, D.M., Rasmussen, R.R. and Lynch, J.M. (1991). Influence of milk somatic cell count and milk age on cheese yield. Journal of Dairy Science, 74, 369-388.

Barkema, H.W., Schukken, Y.H., Lam, T.J.G.M., Beiboer, M.L., Benedictus, G. and Brand, A. (1998). Management practices associated with low, medium, and high somatic cell counts in bulk milk. Journal of Dairy Science, 81(7), 1917-1927.

Bezman, D., Kuzinl, L. L., Katzl, G., Merin, U. and Leitner, G. (2015). Influence of intramammary infection of a single gland in dairy cows on the cow’s milk quality. Journal of Dairy Research, 82, 304-311.

Bruckmaier, R. (2013). The immune system of the mammary gland: new insights. Workshop on physiology and Biotechnology of milk removal, April 25/26, 2013, Posieux, Switzerland.

Bruckmaier, R. M., Ontsouka, C.E. and Blum, J.W. (2004). Fractionized milk composition in dairy cows with subclinical mastitis. Vet. Med. Czech, 49, 283-290.

Bruckmaier, R.M. (2001). Milk ejection during machine milking in dairy cows. Livestock Production Science, 70, 121-124.

Bruckmaier, R.M., Macuhova, J. and Meyer, H.H.D. (2001). Specific aspects of milk ejection in robotic milking: A review. Livestock Production Science, 72,169-176.

Bruckmaier, R.M. (2013). Workshop on Physiology and Biotechnology of Milk Removal, April 25/26, 2013

Burgess, K. (2010). Key requirements for milk quality and safety: a processor's perspective. In improving the safety and quality of milk, milk production and processing. Wood head publishing series in food science, technology and nutrition, 64-84.

Burvenich, C., Paape, M.J., Hill, A. W., Guidry, A.J., Miller, R.H., Heyneman, R., Kremer, W.D. and Brand, A. (1994). Role of the neutrophil leucocyte in the local and systemic reactions during experimentally induced E. coli mastitis in cows immediately after calving. Vet Q, 16 (1), 45-50.

Castro, A., Pereira, J.M., Amiama, C. and Bueno, J. (2015). Typologies of dairy farms with automatic milking system in northwest Spain and farmer’s satisfaction. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 14(2), 3559, 207-219.

Cinar M., Serbester, U., Ceyhan, A. and Gorgulu, M. (2015). Effect of somatic cell count on Milk yield and composition of first and second lactation dairy cows. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 14(3646), 105-108.

Colla, M.F., Valle, S.F., Secchi, P., Duda, N., Scalon, M., Dürr, J.W. and Gonzalez, F.H.D. (2011). Plasma Haptoglobin values in cows with different somatic cell counting in milk samples. Acta Scientiae Veterinariae, 39(1), 944-949

Correa, M.T., Erb, H. and Scarlett, J. (1993). Path analysis for seven postpartum disorders of Holstein cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 76, 1305-1312.

Cortinhas, C.S., Botaro, B.G., Sucupira, M.C.A., Renno, F.P. and Santos, M.V. (2010). Antioxidant enzymes and somatic cell count in dairy cows fed with organic source of zinc, copper and selenium. Livestock Science, 127, 84-87.

Dang, A.K. and Anand, S.K. (2007). Effect of milking systems on the milk somatic cell counts and composition. Livest. Res. Rural Dev., 19(6), 1-8.

Deshapriya, R.M.C., Rahularaj, R. and Ransinghe, R.M.S.B.K. (2019). Mastitis, somatic cell count and milk quality: an overview. Sri Lanka Veterinary Journal, 66 (1), 1-12.

Djabri, B., Bareille, N., Beaudeau, F. and Seegers, H. (2002). Quarter milk somatic cell count in infected dairy cows: a meta-analysis. Vet. Res., 33, 335-357.

Dohoo, I.R. and Leslie, K.E. (1991). Evaluation of changes in somatic cell counts as indicators of new intramammary infections. Prev. Vet. Med., 10, 225-237.

Dürr, J.W., Cue, R.I., Monardes, H.G., Moro-Méndez, J., K.M. and Wade, K.M. (2008). Milk losses associated with somatic cell counts per breed, parity and stage of lactation in Canadian dairy cattle. Livestock Science, 117, 225-232.

Fahr, R.D. (2002). Notwendigkeit und Grenzen der Züchtung auf Milchinhaltsstoffe und Milchqualität. Arch. Tierz., Dummerstorf, 45, 51-59.

Fahr, R.D. and Lengerken, G.V. (1997). Einflussfaktoren auf die Käsereitauglichkeit der Rohmilch. Rekasan Journal, 4 (7/8), 74-75.

Fehlings, K. (2006). Hohe Zellzahlen durch mangelhafte Melktechnik. Top Agrar 1/2006: R18-R 20.

Gargouri, A., Hamed, H. and Elfeki, A. (2008). Total and differential bulk cow milk somatic cell counts and their relation with lipolysis. Livestock Science, 113, 274-279.

Glindemann, A. (2006). Beziehungen zwischen verschiedenen Parametern des Energiestoffwechsels und der Eutergesundheit beim Milchrind unter Berücksichtigung des Melksystems. Dissertation, LMU Munich, Germany. 1-231.

Goncalves, J. L., Cue, R. I., Botaro, B. G., Horst, J. A., Valloto, A. A., Santos, M.V. (2018). Milk losses associated with somatic cell counts by parity and stage of lactation. Journal Dairy Science, 101(5), 4357-4366.

Grandison, A.S. and Ford, G.D. (1986). Effects of variations in somatic cell count on the rennet coagulation properties of milk and on the yield, composition and quality of cheddar cheese. Journal of Dairy Research, 53, 645-655.

Gygas, L., Neuffer, I., Kaufmann, C., Hauser, R. and Wechsler, B. (2008). Restlessness behavior, heart rate and heart-rate variability of dairy cows milked in two types of automatic milking systems and auto-tandem milking parlors. Applied Animal Behavior Science, 109(2), 167-179.

Hamann, J. (2010). Mastitis and raw milk quality, safety and yield. In improving the safety and quality of milk, milk production and processing. Wood head publishing series in food science, technology and nutrition, 246-263.

Hamed, H., El Feki, A. and Gargouri, A. (2008). Total and differential bulk cow milk somatic cell counts and their relation with antioxidant factors. C. R. Biologies, 331,144-151.

Hand, K. J., Godkin, A. and Kelton, D.F. (2012). Milk production and somatic cell counts: A cow-level analysis. Journal of Dairy Science, 95(3), 1358-1362.

Hickman, K. (2019). Das Beste vom Dairy Event. Top agrar 1. Januar 2019, H/13285/SR, R16-17.

Hillerton, J.E. (1999). Redefining mastitis based on somatic cell count. IDF Bull. 345:4-6.

Hovi, M. and Roderick, S. (2000). Mastitis and mastitis control strategies in organic milk. Cattle Practice, 8(3), 259-264.

Hunt, K.M., Williams, J.E., Shafii, B., Hunt, M.K., Mehre, R., Ting, R., McGuire, M.K. and McGuire, M.A. (2013). Mastitis is associated with increased free fatty acids, somatic cell count, and interleukin-8 concentrations in human milk. Breastfeeding Med., 8,105-110.

Juozaitiene, V., Juozaitis, A. and Micikeviciene, R. (2006). Relation between somatic cell count and milk production or morphological traits of udder in black-and white cows. Turk. J. Vet. Aim. Sci., 30, 47-51.

Kaskous, S. (2018). The effect of using quarter individual milking system “MultiLactor” on improvement of milk performance and milk quality of different dairy cows breeds in different farms. Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture, 30(1), 57-64.

Kaskous, S. (2020). Optimization of milk performance and quality in dairy farms by using a quarter individual milking system “MultiLactor”. International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology, 5(4), 943-952.

Kaskous, S. and Fadlelmoula, A. (2015). Adaptability of dairy cows to individual quarter milking system after changing from tying to lose housing system. Adv. Anim. Vet. Sci., 3(4), 225-232.

Klei, L., Joseph, Y., Sapru, A., Lynch, J., Barbano, D., Sears, P. and Galton, D. (1998). Effects of milk somatic cell count on cottage cheese yield and quality. Journal of Dairy Science, 81, 205-213.

Kline, K.E., Flores, S. and Joyce, F. (2018). Factors affecting somatic cell count in milk of dairy cows in Costa Rica. International Journal of Veterinary Science and Research, 4(1), 001-008.

Klucinski, W., Degorski, W., Miernik-Degorska, E., Tarogowski, S. und Winnicka, A. (1988). Effect of ketone bodies on the phagocytic activity of bovine macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Journal of Vet. Med. A, 35, 632-639

Krömker, V (2015). Professionelles Eutergesundheitsmanagement. Elite Spezial, Eutergesundheit optimieren, Supplement zur Nr. 2015 (5), 4-19.

Le Roux, Y., Colin, O., and Lauren, F. (1995). Proteolysis in samples of quarter milk with varying somatic cell counts: 1. Comparison of some indicators of endogenous proteolysis in milk. Journal of Dairy Science, 78, 1289-1297.

Leitner, G., Krifucks, O., Merin, U., Lavi, Y. and Silanikove, N. (2006). Interactions between bacteria type, proteolysis of casein and physico-chemical properties of bovine milk. International Dairy Journal, 16, 648–654.

Leitner, G., Shoshani, E., Krifucks, O., Chaffer, M. and Saran, A. (2000). Milk leucocyte population patterns in bovine udder infection of different aetiology. Journal Veterinary Medicine. B, Infectious Diseases and Veterinary Public Health, 47(8), 581-589.

Ma, Y., Ryan, C., Barbano, D.M., Galton, D. M., Rudan, M. A. and Boor, K. J. (2000). Effects of somatic cell count on quality and shelf-life of pasteurized fluid milk. Journal of Dairy Science, 83, 264-274.

Mazal, G., Vianna, P.C.B., Santos, M.V. and Gigante, M.L. (2007). Effect of somatic cell count on Prato cheese composition. Journal of Dairy Science, 90(2), 630-636.

Mielke, H. (1994). Physiologie der Laktation. In: Wendt, K., H. Bostedt, H. Mielke, und H.-W. Fuchs, (Hrsg.): Euter- und Gesäugekrankheiten. Fischer Verlag, Jena, Stuttgart, 64-97.

Milk Recording Report, (2019). LKV Milchleistungsprüfung in Bayern 2019, Deutschland, 1-101.

Mukherjee, J. and Dank, A.K. (2011). Immune activity of milk leukocytes during early lactation period in high and low yielding crossbred cows. Milchwissenschaft, 66, 384-388.

Nolan, D. T. (2017). An examination of milk quality effects on milk yield and dairy production economics in the Southeastern United States. Theses and Dissertations-Animal and Food Science 71, University of Kentucky, Knowledge.

Ogola, H., Shitandi, A. and Nanua, J. (2007). Effect of mastitis on raw milk compositional quality. Journal of Veterinary Science, 8, 237-242.

Olechnowicz, J. and Jaskowski, J.M. (2012). Somatic cells count in cow’s bulk tank milk. Journal Veterinary Medicine Science, 74, 681-686.

Oltenacu, P.A. and Ekesbo, I. (1994). Epidemiological study of clinical mastitis in dairy cattle. Veterinary Research, 25, 208-212.

Ontsouka, C.E., Bruckmaier, R.M. and Blum, J.W. (2003). Fractionized milk composition during removal of colostrum and mature milk. Journal of Dairy Science, 86 (6), 2005-2011.

Osten-Sacken, A. (2000). Urea in milk-new diagnostic parameter. Prz. Mlecz., 4, 113-115.

Paape, M., Mehrzad, J., Zhao, X., Detilleux, J. and Burvenich, C. (2002). Defense of the bovine mammary gland by polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes. Journal of Mammary Gland Biol. Neoplasia, 7 (2), 109-121.

Persson, K., Larsson, I. and Hallen Sandgren, C. (1993). Effects of certain inflammatory mediators on bovine neutrophil migration in vivo and in vitro. Vet. Immunol. Immunopathology, 37 (2), 99-112.

Petrovska, S. and Jonkus, D. (2014). Milking Technology Influence on Dairy Cow Milk Productivity and Quality. 13th International Scientific Conference, Engineering for Rural Development. Proceeding’s 13 May 29-30, 2014 Jelgava, Latvia, Ukraine.

Politis, L. and Ng-Kwai-Hang, K.F. (1988). Effect of somatic cell counts and milk composition on the coagulating properties of milk. Journal of Dairy Science, 71, 1740-1746.

Potter, T.L., Arndt, C. and Hristov, A.N. (2018). Increased somatic cell count is associated with milk loss and reduced feed efficiency in lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 101(10), 9510-9515.

Pytlewski, J., Antkowiak, I. and Skrzypek, R. (2010). Relationships between somatic cells counts and urea level in the milk of Polish Holstein-Friesian cows of black-and-white and red-white varieties. Acta Sci. Pol., Zootechnica, 9(2), 39-50.

Rainard, P. and Riollet, C. (2006). Innate immunity of the bovine mammary gland. Vet Res., 37, 369-400.

Reis, C.B.M., Barreiro, J.R., Mestieri, L., De Felicio Porcionato, M.A., Dos Santos, M.V. (2013). Effect of somatic cell count and mastitis pathogens on milk composition in Gyr cows. Bio. Med. Central Veterinary Research, 9, 67.

Rogers, S.A. and Mitchell, G.E. (1994). The relationship between somatic cell count, composition and manufacturing properties of bulk milk 6. Cheddar cheese and skim milk yoghurt. Aust. Journal of Dairy Technology, 49, 70-74.

Santos, M.V., Ma, Y. and Barbano, D.M. (2003). Effect of somatic cell count on proteolysis and lipolysis in pasteurized fluid milk during shelf-life storage. Journal of Dairy Science, 86, 2491-2503.

Saravanan, R., Das, D.N., De, S. and Panneerselvam, S. (2015). Effect of season and Parity on somatic cell count across zebu and crossbred cattle population. Indian Journal of Animal Research, 49, 383-387.

Sarikaya, H. (2006). Somatic cell populations in milk: Importance in mammary gland physiology and behavior during technological processing. Thesis TU München, 1-44.

Sarikaya, H. and Bruckmaier, R.M. (2006). Importance of the sampled milk fraction for the predication of total quarter somatic cell count. Journal of Dairy Science, 89, 4246-4250.

Sarikaya, H., Prgomet, C., Pfaffl M.W., Bruckmaier, R.M. (2004). Differentiation of leukocytes in bovine milk. Milchwissenschaft, 59, 586-589.

Schaar, J. (1985). Plasmin activity and proteose-peptone content of individual milks. Journal of Dairy Research, 52, 369-378.

Schepers, A. J., Lam, T.J. Schukken, Y.H., Wilming, J.B. and Hanekamp, W.J. (1997). Estimation of variance components for somatic cell counts to determine thresholds for uninfected quarters. Journal of Dairy Science, 80, 1833-1840.

Schukken, Y.H., Wilson, D.J., Welcome, F., Garrison-Tikofsky, L. and Gonzalez, R. N. (2003). Monitoring udder health and milk quality using somatic cell counts. Vet. Res., 34, 579-596.

Schwarz, D., Diesterbeck, U.S., Konig, S., Brugemann, K., Schlez, K., Zschock, M., Wolter, W. and Czerny, C.P. (2011). Flow cytometric differential cell counts in milk for the evaluation of inflammatory reactions in clinically healthy and subclinically infected bovine mammary glands. J. Dairy Sci., 94, 5033-5044.

Sharma, N., Singh, N.K. and Bhadwal, M.S. (2011). Relationship of somatic cell count and mastitis: an overview. Asian-Australia Journal of Animal Science, 24, 429-438.

Sheldrake, R.F., Hoare, R.J.T. and McGregor, G.D. (1983). Lactation stage, parity, and infection affecting somatic cells, electrical conductivity, and serum albumin in milk. Journal of Dairy Science, 66, 542-547.

Silva, J.E.da, Barbosa, S.B.P., Abreu, B.da. S., Santoro, K.R., Silva, E.C. da, Batista, A.M.V., Martinez, R.L.V. (2018). Effect of somatic cell count on milk yield and milk components in Holstein cows in a semi-arid climate in Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Saúde Prod. Anim., Salvador, 19(4), 391-402.

Singh, M. and Dank, A. K. (2002) Somatic cell count of milk. Technical Book. National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India, 1-25.

Skeie, S. (2010). Milk quality requirements for cheese making. In improving the safety and quality of milk, milk production and processing. Woodhead publishing series in food science, technology and nutrition, 433-453.

Skrzypek, R. (2002). Somatic cell count in bulk tank milk in relation to management and technological factors. Med. Weter., 58, 632-635.

Smith, K.L. (1995). Standards for somatic cells in milk: physiological and regulatory. IDF Mastitis Newsletter 144/21, 7-9.

Suriyasathaporn, W., Heuer, C., Noordhuizen-Stassen, E. and Schukken, Y. (2000). Hyperketonemia and the impairment of udder defense: a review. Veterinary Research, 31 (4):397-412.

Talukder, M. and Ahmed, H.M.M. (2017). Effect of somatic cell count on dairy products: a review. Asian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 3(1), 1-9.

Urech, E., Puhan, Z. and Schällibaum, M. (1999). Changes in milk protein fractions as affected by subclinical mastitis. Journal of Dairy Science, 82, 2402-2411.

Valde, J.P., Hird, D.W., Thurmond, M.C. and Osteras, O. (1997). Comparison of ketosis, clinical mastitis, somatic cell count, and reproductive performance between free stall and tie stall barns in Norwegian dairy herds with automatic feeding. Acta Vet. Scand., 38(2), 181-192.

Verdi, R.J. and Barbano, D.M. (1988). Preliminary investigation of the properties of somatic cell proteases. Journal of Dairy Science, 71, 534-538.

Wilde, C.J., Kerr, M.A., and Calvert, D.T. (1991). Intracellular degradation of newly synthesized casein in perfused rat mammary gland. Exp. Physiology, 76, 533-538.

Wingren, J. (2018). Management practices’ effect on milk production, somatic cell count and mastitis in Swedish organic dairy farms. Master’s thesis,

Winter, P. (2010). Die Zellzahl in der Milch als Grundlage zur Sanierung von Mastitis-Problembetrieben. Tierärztetagung Raumberg-Gumpenstein 2010, Germany, 21-24

Woloszyn, M. (2007). Natural Variations of milk somatic cell count in Dairy cows. MSc Thesis, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Nutrition and Management.

Zajac, P., Capla, J. and Golian, J. (2018). Direct microscopic somatic Cell count. Create Space Independent Publishing Platform, USA: 1-505.

Zarwel, H. (2019). Mehr Milch mit alten Kühen. Top agrar 1 Januar 2019, H/13285/SR, R19.

Zecconi, A. and Smith, K. L. (2000). Mammary gland immunological components - Factors affecting immunity. In: Zecconi, A., und K.L. Smith, (Hrsg.): IDF position paper on ruminant mammary gland immunity. Mailand, 7-57.

Zhang, G. and Ametaj, B.N. (2020). Ketosis an old story under a new approach. Dairy, MDPI, 2020 (1), 42-60.

Zucali, M., Bava, L., Tamburini, A., Brasca, M., Vanoni, L. and Sandrucci, A. (2011). Effects of season, milking routine and cow cleanliness on bacterial and somatic cell counts of bulk tank milk. Journal of Dairy Research, 78(4), 436-441.

Downloads

Published

31-10-2021

How to Cite

Kaskous, S. (2021). Physiological Aspects of Milk Somatic Cell Count in Dairy Cattle. International Journal of Livestock Research, 11(10), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.5455/ijlr.20210518075402

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.