Morphological characteristics of udders as selection criteria for improvement of mammary gland health and productivity of sheep. 2. The relationship between udder morphology and the health and productivity of ewes

Abstract

The health of the mammary gland and productivity of three breeds of sheep, Polish Merino, Polish Lowland and Polish Highland, were studied in relation to udder morphology. The contamination of milk by pathological strains of bacteria (Staphylococci and Streptococci) was found in 15-20% of ewes. The ewes with over-or undersized (> x ± SD, < x + SD) udders developed mastitis more frequently than did those with udder sizes within the limits of x ± SD. Significant correlations were found between the morphological traits of udders and milk yield of the Polish Highland ewes and the rearing results of Merino and Polish Lowland lambs.

Assessment of Subclinical Mastitis Effects on Live Weight, Body Condition Score (Bcs) and External Udder Measurements of Dorper Sheep

“…Besides, subclinical mastitis more accompanied by numerous changes in milk composition that contribute to reduce milk production and milk quality due to udder damage including lower lactose and calcium content, the concentration of whey proteins, sodium and chlorine are increase, an alteration in the proportion of casein and reduce in lipid concentration [1]. Also this may result in poor growth rates or deaths in lambs due to starvations or bacterial infection from consuming infected milk and later subclinical mastitis may lead to clinical mastitis [2,4].…”