9.Relationship of indirect diagnostic tests, haematological parameters and milk components with subclinical mastitis in dairy cows

Abstract

The study aimed to understand the relationship of California Mastitis Test (CMT) score and other indirect diagnostic tests [differential electrical conductivity (DEC) and absolute EC] with milk Somatic Cell Count (SCC) to improve the diagnosis of subclinical mastitis (SCM) in lactating Deoni (N=27) and HF crossbred (N=32) cows. Cows with milk SCC of ?200?103 cells/ml were considered as SCM, while cows without any abnormality in milk or udder parenchyma, systemic signs and milk SCC of ?200?103 were considered as healthy. It is observed that healthy and SCM affected Deoni cows had lesser milk SCC than HF crossbred cows. We found that breed had significant (p<0.001) effects on blood hemoglobin and packed cell volume (PCV) level but Red Blood Cell (RBC) counts, Total Leucocytes Count (TLC) and Differential Leucocytes Count (DLC) were not altered by breed and udder health status of Deoni and HF crossbred cows. Higher trend of fat: protein ratio was observed in SCM affected than healthy cows. In this study, the relationship of CMT score with SCC has been established and the finding will be useful for diagnosis of SCM using indirect diagnostic methods in Indian dairy cattle.