Histocompatibility genes and Somatic Cell Count (SCC) in Italian Holstein Friesian

Abstract

Mastitis is a dairy cattle disease leading to great economic losses in milk production, management costs and veterinary treatments. This character generally shows an unfavourable genetic correlation with milk production. However, genetic factors influencing mastitis susceptibility independent from those influencing milk production could exist. Therefore, it should be possible to select at the same time against mastitis and for high milk production. The “somatic cell count” (SCC) can be used for selection against mastitis due to high genetic correlation with mastitis (Weller et al., 1992), higher heritability than clinical mastitis, lower costs for data collection and data availability at national level with an objective measurement. Genetic evaluation for “somatic cell count” has been recently officially introduced also in Italy for Holstein Friesian........

Keywords

• mastitis, SCC, MHC, cattle.