Effect of non-genetic factors on somatic cell measures in Vrindavani cattle

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of non-genetic factors on somatic cell count (SCC) and somatic cell score (SCS) in cross bred cattle. At the time of milk collection California mastitis test (CMT) were performed and data of only those animals were collected which were tested negative by CMT. Somatic cell count was measured using the Newman–Lampert staining technique and converted to SCS. Study revealed that the least squares means of SCS in Vrindavani cows were slightly higher than the earlier reports which are mainly reported from the temperate countries. No effect of season, parity, MYC and stage of lactation on the SCS was found for Vrindavani cross-bred dairy cattle. As the heritability estimate of SCC was higher than normal heritability estimates of clinical mastitis so it can be preferred for the selection of animals against mastitis. Correlations measured among different season, parity were non-significant and only stage of lactation were having significant correlations with milk yield and number of parity.