Genetic Parameters for Somatic Cell Count, Logscc and Somatic Cell Score of Breeds: Improved Valachian, Tsigai, Lacaune and their Crosses/Genetski Parametri Za Broj Somatskih Ćelija, Logscc I Skor Somatskih Ćelija Kod Rasa: Poboljšana Vlaška, Cigaja, Lakon I Njihovih Meleza

Abstract

In the last few years there has been increasing emphasis on reducing milk somatic cell count to improve the milk quality in dairy ruminants. Genetic parameters for somatic cell count (SCC), LOGSCC and somatic cell score (SCS) were estimated. About 1193 measurements were included in the analysis for each character of 358 ewes of 9 genotypes. Nine breeds and genotypes were included in these experiments: purebred Improved Valachian (IV), Tsigai (T), Lacaune (LC) ewes, and IV and T crosses with a genetic portion of Lacaune and East Friesian (EF) -25 %, 50 % and 75 %. Primary data were processed using restricted maximum likelihood (REML) methodology and the multi-trait animal model, using programs REMLF90 and VCE 4.0. Heritability coeffi cients for somatic cell count were low: h 2 =0.03, for LOGSCC h 2 = 0.08 and for somatic cell score h 2 =0.06. Somatic cell score can be considered for inclusion in a breeding program aimed at reducing somatic cell count and frequency of clinical mastitis in dairy sheep.

Effect of selected factors (body weight, age, parity, litter size and temperament) on the entrance order into the milking parlour of Lacaune ewes, and its relationship with milk production

“…Milk production records of the population studied were highly above the official Hungarian data (lactation milk yield: 153.6 kg, length of lactation: 126 days) (HSGBA, 2018). Parameters of milk fat and protein were in concordance with earlier reports (Park et al, 2006;Makovický et al, 2014;Chay-Canul et al, 2020;Margetín et al, 2020).…”