Somatic cell count and major elements in milk during lactation in buffaloes

Abstract

Apparently healthy Murrah buffaloes (18) were divided equally into early, mid-and late lactation stages. The difference in somatic cell count amongst three stages of lactation were statistically highly significant. The milk somatic cell counts increased towards the end of lactation because of the higher prevalence of mastitis, normal involution of the udder and decreased milk production, which causes less dilution of the milk leucocytes. The milk Cl and Mg concentration were higher in late and lower in mid lactation. Milk Ca, P, Na, K, Fe, and Zn increased in buffaloes at advanced stage of lactation, while milk Cu remained almost same during early and mid-lactation but increased during late lactation. The Mn remained constant throughout lactation.

Keywords

• Buffalo
• Lactation
• Minerals
• SCC