Publication Database

Cell differentiation as a tool for predicting udder health in the course of DHI testing (2018)

Art

Poster

Autoren

Bartel, Alexander (WE 16)

Baumgartner, Christian

Doherr, Marcus G (WE 16)

Onken, Folkert

Querengässer, Friederike (WE 16)

Scharinger, Eva

Kongress

IDF World Dairy Summit

Daejeon, Korea, 15. – 19.10.2018

Quelle

Sprache

Englisch

Verweise

URL (Volltext): http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.33407.87202

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.33407.87202

Kontakt

Institut für Veterinär-Epidemiologie und Biometrie

Königsweg 67
14163 Berlin
+49 30 838 56034
epi@vetmed.fu-berlin.de

Abstract / Zusammenfassung

Mastitis is still one of the most common diseases in dairy farms. Checking the somatic cell count (SCC) routinely in the course of DHI testing is the best way to indirectly assess the udder health of cows. In Germany, six udder health scores have been proven to be a useful tool in order to reflect the current udder health status. However, they cannot describe the future development of udder health. Differential somatic cell count in milk could close this gap, leading to an enhancement of DHI testing. When udder health is undisturbed, macrophages are the predominant cell type, whereas polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) and lymphocytes are present in lower proportions. During udder inflammation, the proportion of the different leucocytes in milk alters. Until now, no standardized indicator is available that would allow a prognosis for udder health. Since the introduction of a new generation of devices, not only the total SCC, but also the differential somatic cell count can be analyzed routinely in high throughput manner, allowing the assessment of the so called cell differentiation index (ZDI). The ZDI essentially reflects the proportion of macrophages of the total somatic cell count. Within the scope of the German ZellDiX project, cell differentiation was routinely performed over consecutive months of more than 2,000 Bavarian farms. Additionally, an experiment including 2,800 animals in Berlin-Brandenburg was conducted: DHI samples were analyzed with regard to SCC and ZDI. Simultaneously, quarter level samples were drawn in order to assess SCC and ZDI next to the bacteriological status of the udder. Data show, that the ZDI could be a helpful tool in order to predict udder health in the upcoming month. These results are used in order to establish additional key scores for practical use for farmers, farm managers and veterinarians.