• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.1216-1222
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• 2012

Somatic cells count (SCC), milk yield (MY) and pedigree information of 2,791 first lactation cows that calved between 1990 and 2010 on 259 Thai farms were used to estimate genetic parameters and trends for SCC and its genetic association with MY. The SCC were log-transformed (lnSCC) to make them normally distributed. An average information-restricted maximum likelihood procedure was used to estimate variance components. A bivariate animal model that considered herd-yr-season, calving age, and regression additive genetic group as fixed effects, and animal and residual as random effects was used for genetic evaluation. Heritability estimates were 0.12 (SE = 0.19) for lnSCC, and 0.31 (SE = 0.06) for MY. The genetic correlation estimate between lnSCC and MY was 0.26 (SE = 0.59). Mean yearly estimated breeding values during the last 20 years increased for SCC (49.02 cells/ml/yr, SE = 26.81 cells/ml/yr; p = 0.08), but not for MY (0.37 kg/yr, SE = 0.87 kg/yr; p = 0.68). Sire average breeding values for SCC and MY were higher than those of cows and dams (p<0.01). Heritability estimates for lnSCC and MY and their low but positive genetic correlation suggested that selection for low SCC may be feasible in this population as it is in other populations of dairy cows. Thus, selection for high MY and low SCC should be encouraged in Thai dairy improvement programs to increase profitability by improving both cow health and milk yield.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.189-194
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• 2012

Measurement of compositions and somatic cells in raw milk by chemical methods usually requires a lot of time, skilled labor and expensive analytical equipments. Recently, near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS), which is a rapid, cost-effective and non-destructive technique, has been extensively used for safety and quality evaluation in the field of dairy products. However, less study has been performed to evaluate the effect of transmitted light on milk quality during NIRS analysis. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the changes in milk quality using transmitted light. Raw milk samples collected from dairy farm from Siga prefecture in Japan were analyzed for fat, protein, lactose, solids not fat, total solids, milk urea and citric acid using the Milko scan 4000. Somatic cells in raw milk samples were counted by the Fossomatic 5000. Transmittance spectra of 50 ml raw milk samples were obtained by the Lax-Cute lighter in the 400 nm or less, 689 nm, 773 nm, 900 nm and 979 nm. As a result, milk fat as well as somatic cell count was increased by 2.6% and 9.0%, respectively. The other compositions were, however, changed within the relative error of the measurement. Further studies are needed to apply raw milk quality evaluation using the UV band by accumulating more samples and more data.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.993-999
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• 2010

Serum lysozyme gene is one of the important genes influencing the immune system as its product can cause lysis of bacterial cell wall by cleaving the peptidoglycan layer. The present investigation on the serum lysozyme gene of Indian riverine buffalo was undertaken with the objectives to identify and characterize single nucleotide polymorphic patterns by PCR-SSCP method as well as to study the effect of different genotypes on serum lysozyme activity and somatic cell count. A total of 280 animals comprising four different famous bubaline breeds (Murrah, Mehsana, Surti and Bhadawari), spread over six different farms across the country were used for this study. A 276 bp (partial intron 2, complete exon 3 and partial intron 3) fragment of lysozyme gene was screened for polymorphism using the SSCP technique. Four genotypes namely AA, AB, BC and AC were observed, out of which BC genotype was found to be the most frequent. Among these three alleles, C allele (0.38) was most prevalent in these populations. Various SSCP allelic variants were cloned for sequencing and sequences were submitted to NCBI Genbank. From the alignment of the nucleotide sequences of various allelic variants, it was found that there were differences in 12 positions among the alleles, out of which maximum variation (at 8 places) was found in the intronic region. The allele A was closer to allele-C than allele-B. Allele B was phylogenetically equidistant from both of the other alleles. Mean lysozyme activity determined in serum samples of different animals of Murrah buffalo was $27.35{\pm}2.42\;{\mu}g$ per ml of serum, whereas the mean somatic cell count was $1.25{\pm}0.13{\times}10^5$ cells per ml of milk. The SSCP pattern-wise effects of various genotypes on lysozyme activity and SCC were analyzed. Although the mean values were apparently different in various genotypes, these differences were statistically non-significant. It can be concluded that the riverine buffaloes are sufficiently polymorphic with respect to serum lysozyme gene. The absence of AA genotype in Bhadawari breed of buffalo can be considered as a marker for breed characterization. The difference of four nucleotides in exon-3 indicates high selection pressure on the gene.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.244-248
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• 2005

This study was conducted to survey the relationship between the somatic cell count (SCC), and California mastitis test (CMT) & mastitis. A total of 328 quarter milk samples were collected from 211 cows suspected to have mastitis; Both SCC and CMT were performed on the samples. Milk smear was stained with Broadhurst and Paley stain and the cells were classified into either epithelial or blood cells. Bacterial isolation was made and antimicrobial susceptibility was tested. Of the 328 quarters, 78 ($23.8{\%}$) were CMT negative with SCC <750,000/ml. As expected, CMT score increased with the increase of SCC. The number of epithelial cells decreased with the increasing number of somatic cells, while the opposite was the case with the number of blood cells. The critical point was when the SCC reached 1,000,000/ml. Up to 1,000,000 cells/ml, the number of epithelial cells was greater than that of blood cells. The results indicate that when epithelia:blood cell ratio is 58.1:41.9, the milking line should be checked and bacterial isolation be performed on the samples in order to identity mastitis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.246-251
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• 2010

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland that develops as a response to pathogenic microorganisms. Somatic cell count (SCC) and bacteriological analysis are the most accepted tools to determine udder health. This study evaluated the effects of intra-mammary gland infusion of silver ion against clinical mastitis in Holstein cows. Silver ion (20 ${\mu}g$/ml) was infused through the intra-mammary gland in quarters having clinical mastitis and milk was collected to determine SCC, and levels of lactoferrin and bovine serum albumin (BSA). Silver ion infusion decreased udder inflammation, firmness and swelling, and reduced clots, BSA, lactoferrin and SCC in milk. However, milk yield and circulating blood cells remained unchanged. The silver ion-mediated reductions of BSA and SCC indicate reduced inflammation and bacterial activity in silver ion-treated mammary glands in Holsteins with mastitis, which may be exploited in a curative strategy.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.379-388
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• 2011

Survey of mastitis management and incidence of mastitis in the Gyeongnam was started in May to September 2009 to solve mastitis problem statistically valid data for use in estimating mastitis management, isolation and antimicrobial drug susceptibility in 30 dairy farms having over 350,000/ml somatic cell count. In investigation on recognition of farmer about bovine mastitis, the ratio of understanding of differences between infectious and environmental origin, understanding of correlation between superbacteria and using indiscriminate, necessity of pathogen identification, and necessity of antimicrobial sensitivity tests were 80.0%, 73.3%, 33.3%, and 53.3%, respectively. In survey of mastitis management type, regular california mastitis test (CMT), conducting CMT test and empirical self-treatment, when detecting suspected cows, were 30.0%, 40.0%, and 46.7%, respectively. Checking and cleaning pulsators biweekly, cleaning vacuum system and replacing liners every 3~6 month, and getting milking system checked by engineers showed 80.0%, 76.7%, and 76.7% in the questionnaires, respectively. In recognition of farmer about milking hygiene for prevention of bovine mastitis, using individual towels, separated milking (milking order of cows), and teat-dipping disinfection after milking exhibited 13.3%, 86.7%, and 93.3%, respectively. In conclusion, through the questionnaires and laboratory test, we suggest that recognition of farmer about management and incidence of mastitis was very low, thus systemic educational program and public relations about mastitis management were need for dairy farmers.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics Conference
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.146-146
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• 2008

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.485-493
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to develope a computer program to help with gross diagnosis of protein-energy balance and feeding management practice and with the prediction about the risk possibility of productive disease such as reproductive and metabolic disorders by evaluating fat, protein, and milk urea nitrogen (MUN) from individual cow milk in dairy herd Somatic cell counts also represent the condition of udder health. The principal flow charts of this program was to check on herd management, sampling the composite milk, analysis the milk composition, conversion of data from milking equipment to program, input and analysis of data in program, and report. This program is compatible with window 95/98 system. The major analytical elements of this program were presented as; the profile of herd lactation curve analysis of the test-day milk production level, the distribution of somatic cell count, the fat to protein ratio to evaluate body energy balance, and the interpretation of dietary protein-energy balance by milk protein and MUN contents for individual cows. This program using milk fat, protein, MUN, and somatic cell counts will serve as a monitoring tool for the protein-energy balance and the feeding management practice, and for distribution of mastitis in individual cows. It will also be used to manage the nutritional and reproductive disorders and mastitis at the farm level.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.499-505
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• 2021

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic behavior of a population of Holstein cattle in response to the variation of environmental temperature by analyzing the effects of genotype by environment interaction (GEI) through reaction norms for the somatic cell score (SCS). Methods: Data was collected for 67,206 primiparous cows from the database of the Paraná Holstein Breeders Association in Brazil, with the aim of evaluating the temperature effect, considered as an environmental variable, distinguished under six gradients, with the variation range found being 17℃ to 19.5℃, over the region. A reaction norm model was adopted utilizing the fourth order under the Legendre polynomials, using the mixed models of analysis by the restricted maximum likelihood method by the WOMBAT software. Additionally, the genetic behavior of the 15 most representative bulls was assessed, in response to the changes in the temperature gradient. Results: A mean score of 2.66 and a heritability variation from 0.17 to 0.23 was found in the regional temperature increase. The correlation between the environmental gradients proved to be higher than 0.80. Distinctive genetic behaviors were observed according to the increase in regional temperature, with an observed increase of up to 0.258 in the breeding values of some animals, as well as a reduction in the breeding of up to 0.793, with occasional reclassifications being observed as the temperature increased. Conclusion: Non-relevant GEI for SCS were observed in Holstein cattle herds of southern Brazil. Thus, the inclusion of the temperature effect in the model of genetic evaluation of SCS for the southern Brazilian Holstein breed is not required.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.232-239
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• 2016

Recently, research has been focusing on high quality and safer animal production by utilizing natural functional materials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of administration of natural Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) on gamma linolenic acid (GLA) levels in milk from Holstein dairy cows. Quality and quantity of milk as well as blood and fatty acids from Holstein cow fed diets supplemented with 2.7-4% calcium-salted EPO coated with palm stearin oil were analyzed. There was no significant difference in yield and composition of milk between control and EPO treatment. However, EPO treatment lowered blood aspartate aminotransferase (AST), somatic cell count (SCC), and cholesterol levels (p < 0.05) compared to untreated control. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level was decreased (p < 0.05) in GLA 1 and GLA 2 group when compared with control group. Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentration was lower (p < 0.05) in GLA 1 and GLA 2 groups than in control group. The level of GLA in milk was increased in EPO group when compared to control. Therefore, results from the present study demonstrate that supplementary EPO has beneficial effects on cow health, showing a decrease in somatic cell count and levels of blood cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and AST. Furthermore, supplementation of EPO improves milk quality with increased amounts of GLA.