|
PRINT: ISSN 2221-1896
ONLINE : ISSN 2223-0343
|
|
|
A study on bulk tank somatic cell counts in a
Holstein dairy herd in Khozestan province, Iran
|
Meysam Hashemzadeh and Saeed Khalajzadeh* |
Department of Animal
Sciences, College of Agriculture, Saveh Branch,
Islamic Azad University, Saveh, Iran
|
|
Abstract |
The present study aimed
to identify factors affecting bulk tank somatic cell count (BTSCC), as
one of the most important criteria of milk quality in a Holstein dairy
herd at Khozestan province, Southwestern Iran.
Fixed factors including year, season, temperature-humidity index (THI),
and year-season interaction were fitted in the statistical model and the
general linear model (GLM) procedure was used as the statistical tool
for analysis of data. The overall
mean of BTSCC was 347000 cells/ml. This amount is higher than acceptable
range (<200,000) and it suggests bacterial infection and the prevalence
of sub-clinical or clinical mastitis. The effect of seasonal timings on
BTSCC changes was significant in which the low and high BTSCC were
observed in spring and winter, respectively. Surprisingly, the effect of
THI on BTSCC changes was not significant and there was not any positive
relationship between BTSCC and THI. Generally, the somatic cell count
has increased significantly across time and it was concluded that more
effective policy is needed to control and reduce SCC in the studied
herd.
|
Keywords:
Somatic cell count; bulk
tank; season; dairy; temperature-humidity index |
|
To cite this article:
Hashemzadeh M and S Khalajzadeh, 2014.
A study on bulk tank somatic cell counts in a
Holstein dairy herd in Khozestan province, Iran.
Res.
Opin. Anim. Vet. Sci., 4(11): 593-596. |
|
|