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Title: INTRAMAMMARY DEFENSE AND MILK SOMATIC CELL COUNTS (MSCC) OF GOATS AND SHEEP

Author
item PAAPE, MAX
item CONTRERAS, A - MURCIA SPAIN
item VANOOSTVELDT, K - U GHENT BELGIUM
item CAPUCO, A - USDA-ARS BELTSVILLE MD
item TOMITA, G - SPAIN
item MARCO, J - U GHENT BELGIUM

Submitted to: European Association of Animal Production Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/5/2001
Publication Date: 12/20/2001
Citation: PAAPE, M.J., CONTRERAS, A., VANOOSTVELDT, K., CAPUCO, A.V., TOMITA, G.M., MARCO, J.C. INTRAMAMMARY DEFENSE AND MILK SOMATIC CELL COUNTS (MSCC) OF GOATS AND SHEEP. EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF ANIMAL PRODUCTION PROCEEDINGS. 2001.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The first line of defense against intramammary infection is the teat canal. Bacteria that pass this barrier encounter the second line of defense: phagocytic leukocytes that consist of macrophages and polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes (PMN). Toxins released by invading bacteria activate macrophages and epithelial cells causing the secretion of chemoattractants. Soon PMN migrate directly from blood and initiate ingestion and killing of the bacteria. However, this PMN function is compromised because migration of blood PMN through the blood-milk barrier causes death of some PMN by apoptosis, and ingestion of milk fat globules and casein by PMN inhibits their ability to effectively ingest and kill bacteria. Potent oxidants released by PMN during ingestion of bacteria and milk components destroy not only bacteria, but also some of the secretory epithelial cells within the udder. Normal MSCC for sheep that are free from intramammary infection are <100,000/ml. For uninfected goats, MSCC are higher and can approach 2 x 106/ml. Non-infectious factors such as parity, stage of lactation, season and milk yield have been related to increased MSCC for goats. Because of the presence of large concentrations of cytoplasmic particles n goat milk, only cell counting procedures, specific for DNA should be used. Intramammary infusion of antibiotics at dry-off and post milking teat dipping in goats decreased the rate of new intramammary infection and MSCC. Thus, mastitis control practices shown to be efficacious in cows are also effective in goats.