Evaluation of somatic cell number in milk from jersey cows during the first month of lactation

Abstract

With the aim to establish reference values of the number somatic cell of milk from Jersey cows, raised in the State of São Paulo, during the first month of lactation, as well as to evaluate the influence of the colostral phase, 418 milk samples were examined obtained from healthy mammary glands without bacterial growth. Milk samples were collected aseptically before milking and number somatic cell determined by electronic counting and by California Mastitis Test. was demonstrated the significant influence the somatic cells in the first month of lactation. It was found that the transition of the colostrum secretion for milk in respect to somatic cells count have been finished in the 15º day of lactation, being recommended the adoption of the following reference values: in the colostrum, getting in the first of 24 hours of lactation between 472.405 and 2.003.921cells/ml, in the understood period from 2º until 15º day of lactation values between 103.920 and 1.298.361 cells/ml and starting from 15 day of lactation between 37.714 and 205.549 cells/ml.