Veterinarska stanica, Vol. 52 No. 6, 2021.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.46419/vs.52.6.11
Use of somatic cell count in the diagnosis of mastitis and its impacts on milk quality
Klara Knežević
; Biognost d.o.o., Zagreb, Croatia
Vesna Dobranić
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Dražen Đuričić
; Mount-trade, Garešnica, Croatia
Marko Samardžija
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Miroslav Benić
; Croatian Veterianary Institute Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Iva Getz
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Maša Efendić
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Luka Cvetnić
; Croatian Veterianary Institute Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Juraj Šavorić
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Ivan Butković
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Marija Cvetnić
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Marin Mazić
; Veterinary Practice Marković, Zagreb, Croatia
Nino Maćešić
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Mastitis is an inflammatory reaction to an infection of the secretory part of the mammary gland. The causes of mastitis are divided by Gram staining into Gram-positive and Gram-negative, and according to aetiology into contagious and environmental causes. Contagious pathogens are most transmitted during milking, and cause long-lasting, chronic mastitis with a mostly subclinical course. In contrast, environmental pathogens typically cause short-term infections, but with more frequent clinical manifestations. Infected cows are detected by the diagnosis of mastitis, which is most often reached through indirect or direct methods of determining the somatic Cell count and by conducting bacteriological examination of milk. The Zagreb mastitis test is a quick and simple orientation method for estimating the number of somatic cells. Its advantage is that can be performed in field conditions. Somatic cells are made up of epithelial cells and leukocytes. They are normally found in milk, but their number and ratio change depending on inflammatory changes in the mammary gland. The somatic cell count can change depending on the
occurrence of mastitis, but also on the stage of lactation, animal age, season and other diseases of the dairy cow. Milk with an increased number of somatic cells has an altered quality compared to the milk of a healthy cow. Milk contains a lower proportion of milk fat and lactose, and an increased proportion of protein. Furthermore, electrical conductivity is increased due to elevated concentrations of chlorine and sodium in milk. It also has reduced thermal stability and a reduced ability to curdle and form lumps. Such milk has a rancid taste and is not suitable for the production of condensed milk, milk powder or sterilized milk. The shelf life of cheeses produced from such milk is reduced due to the retention of a larger amount of water. Proper and regular disinfection of udder teats before and after milking raises the yield and quality of milk, and reduces the cost associated with mastitis treatment, thereby increasing both milk quality and farm revenues.
Keywords
mastitis; somatic cells; milk; milk quality
Hrčak ID:
256538
URI
Publication date:
2.5.2021.
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