Somatic Cell Number, Physicochemical, and Microbiological Parameters of Raw Milk of Goats During the End of Lactation as Compared by Breeds and Number of Lactations

Abstract

This study was aimed for the evaluation of somatic cell count (SCC), physicochemical, and microbiological parameters during the end of lactation in the raw milk of Alpine and native Red goat breed. In the experiment, 102 milk samples from Alpine and native Red goats were included. Two different groups within the same breed were analyzed: a group consisting of animals in their first lactation and the second group consisting of animals from the fifth lactation. The milk samples were individually and daily collected during late lactation for three consecutive weeks, and milk fat, protein, lactose, SCC, and total bacteria with enterobacteria were assessed. Fresh milk of goats from late lactation period had a number of somatic cells (SC) within the expected value with log10 of 5.8–6.18 cells/ml for the compared groups. In both breeds, the total mesophilic bacteria were fewer in numbers, however, in the native Red goat, a larger population of such bacteria was enumerated. The number of coliforms and enterobacteria was below 100 cfu/ml. In the current study, we were able to show a significant difference among the studied breeds depending on lactation and season for fat (p = 0.002), but not for lactose and protein content. A positive correlation for total protein (TP), lactose, and fat as well as for lactose and SCC was found in the native Red goat breed. In the Alpine goat breed, a strong positive correlation (0.821**) was found for lactose and enterobacteria count (EC). In conclusion, these findings evaluate different goat milk parameters during late lactation period and provide an indirect measure to monitor goat mammary gland health for both breeds.

Milk Pathogens in Correlation with Inflammatory, Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress Markers in Goat Subclinical Mastitis

“…Most papers focused on goat milk have suggested an interval of 500 to 1000 × 10 3 cells/mL [ 39 , 40 ]. However, the need for establishing a standard regarding SCC in goat milk is still present [ 41 ]. In addition, the sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of SCC have been investigated in several studies in order to estimate test properties and its use as a screening tool to detect intramammary infection in goats, using different selected cut-offs [ 38 , 42 , 43 ].…”

Milk Quality Parameters of Raw Milk in Ecuador between 2010 and 2020: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The somatic cell count in milk indicates the hygienic sanitary quality of the mammary gland, and is also considered a health indicator since the somatic cell count increases in direct proportion to the severity of the infectious disease [ 100 , 101 ]. Likewise, it directly affects milk production since it decreases milk production by 2.5% for each increase of 100 thousand somatic cells from the 200 thousand that are considered normal; therefore, it could be expected that a herd with a count of 500 thousand CS/mL would have a 7.5% decrease in production due to subclinical mastitis [ 102 ].…”

Utilizing Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Discriminant Analysis of Goat Milk Composition across Diverse Breeds and Lactation Seasons

“…During May and July 2021, a study was conducted involving the collection of goat milk specimens from a farm near Pristina, as previously described by Gecaj et al 2021 [10]. A total of 44 samples were meticulously gathered, comprising 20 samples derived from the French Alpine goat breed and 24 originating from the native Red breed.…”

“…Furthermore, goat milk might have a beneficial impact on heart health by reducing cholesterol levels in both the gallbladder and arteries [3,9]. Further, it has been shown that different goat breeds may produce milk with varying compositions and physicochemical parameters during different lactation seasons [10].…”