THE FREQUENCY OF DISTRIBUTION OF SOMATIC CELL COUNT IN DAIRY EWE’S MILK

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the situation in somatic cell counts in one selected herd throughout three-years period The was study performed in the experimental herd of the RIAP Nitra, Slovakia, between 2010 and 2013. Genotypes of purebred Tsigai (TS), Improved Valachian (IV) and Lacaune (LC) and their crossbred Tsigai× Lacaune (TS×LC) and Improved Valachian × Lacaune (IV×LC) ewes on their 1-3 lactation were investigated. SCC of milk was determined in 2632 milk samples collected from lactating dairy ewes. On the basis of SCC the dairy ewes were divided into the five groups: G1= SCC <100×103 cells.ml-1, G2= SCC between 100-300×103 cells.ml-1, G3= SCC between 300-600×103 cells.ml-1, G4= SCC between 600-1000×103 cells.ml-1 and G5= SCC >106 cells.ml-1 to study the frequency of distribution of health problems of mammary gland in selected group of ewes throughout experimental period. In total the percentage of samples in first three groups was 78 %. The ewes of TS and IV had higher percentage of samples in G1 and lower in G5 as compared with L, TSxLC and IVxLC. In conclusion, the high percentage of ewes in a groups under 600×103 cells.ml-1 could indicate possible legislative limit for SCC related to good udder health in a future legislative.