The effect of estrus synchronization treatment on somatic cell count of transitional-anestrus local-Damascus cross breed goats’ milk

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of estrus synchronization protocols and steroid hormones concentrations on somatic cell count (SCC) of transitional-anestrus local-Damascus cross goats' milk. Fifty-six goats (2-4-year old) were randomly assigned to three groups: fluorogestone acetate (FGA, n = 19), FGA-Prostaglandin (FGA-PGF, n = 19) and control (n = 18) groups. Intravaginal sponge containing 40 mg FGA was inserted for 13 days and an injection of 600 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) was administered for goats of FGA and FGA-PGF groups at the time of sponge removal (day 0). In addition, goats of FGA-PGF group were injected with 10 mg dinoprost tromethamine (PGF2alpha) on day 0. Five fertile local-Damascus cross bucks were turned-in with all goats on day 0. Blood and milk samples were collected from all goats on days -13 (beginning of experiment), -6, 0, 1, 2, 7, 13 and 20 (end of the experiment). Four-year old and second-parity goats had significantly higher (p < 0.05) SCC of both udder halves than 2- and 3-year old and first-parity goats, respectively. There was a significant effect (p < 0.05) for treatment and number of kids born in the last kidding season on SCC of both udder halves. Neither estradiol nor progesterone concentrations were correlated with SCC in goats in this experiment. The SCC of both udder halves and left udder halves in goats of the control and FGA groups, respectively, increased significantly (p < 0.05) after sponge removal and buck introduction when compared with day 0, with no differences in the FGA-PGF group. This increase in SCC of the control and FGA groups coincided with peak estrus behavior. However, SCC was far below the upper limit of the current standard for normal milk. In conclusion, induction of estrus with progestagen based programs and buck introduction may cause temporary significant increase in SCC. However, the SCC values during this period of temporary increase were still in the range of acceptable values for normal milk. With the current standards for SCC of 1,000,000/ml as legal limit for abnormal milk control programs in goats, estrus synchronization programs and the estrus status should not be considered when bulk-tank milk SCC is being investigated.

The effect of estrus synchronization treatments on somatic cell count of transitional-anestrus Awassi ewes’ milk

“…The effect of PGF 2a on SCC has not been described before and needs further investigation. In goats, similar findings for the effect of incorporation of PGF 2a on SCC 2 days after sponge removal were found (Talafha et al 2008).…”

Effect of intravaginal fluorogestone acetate sponges on prolactin levels of Damascus-local cross breed goats

“…Characteristics of the groups, the right and left udder halves SCC, effect of intravaginal fluorogestone acetate estrus synchronization program on SCC of both udder halves, changes in estradiol and progesterone levels, and correlations between steroid hormones changes and both udder halves SCC were previously reported by Talafha et al (2008). Figure 1 shows the log 10 (mean±SEM) of PRL levels for all groups from day −13 to day 20 of the study.…”

“…The effect of estrus on milk SCC is controversial. In dairy goats, an increase in SCC has been reported at the beginning of the breeding season (Lerondelle et al 1992) and was associated with the induction of estrus (Aleandri et al 1994;Talafha et al 2008). However, neither estradiol nor progesterone concentrations were significantly correlated with milk SCC (Talafha et al 2008).…”

“…In dairy goats, an increase in SCC has been reported at the beginning of the breeding season (Lerondelle et al 1992) and was associated with the induction of estrus (Aleandri et al 1994;Talafha et al 2008). However, neither estradiol nor progesterone concentrations were significantly correlated with milk SCC (Talafha et al 2008). On the other hand, PRL levels peaked at estrus in Damascus goats (Gaafar et al 2005) and sheep (Reeves et al 1970).…”

“…Intravaginal flurogestone acetate (FGA) sponge followed by an injection of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) is one method to induce estrus in goats. Talafha et al (2008) reported that a temporary significant increase in goat's milk somatic cell count (SCC) coincided with peak estrus behavior after FGA sponge removal and buck introduction. Determination of milk SCC is an indirect test for detection of mammary gland inflammation and forms the basis of milk quality control programs (Paape et al 2007).…”