Open AccessEffect of Age on Somatic Cell Count And Milk Composition in Sheep Milk
Author(s) -
Nazik Ilyas
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
maǧallaẗ ǧāmi'aẗ duhūk
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2521-4861
pISSN - 1812-7568
DOI - 10.26682/sjuod.2020.23.2.13
Subject(s) - lactose , lactation , somatic cell count , composition (language) , zoology , total dissolved solids , mastitis , biology , food science , milk protein , pregnancy , ice calving , linguistics , philosophy , microbiology and biotechnology , environmental engineering , engineering , genetics
A total of 50 sheep milk samples during lactations were used to investigate the impact of subclinical mastitis induced Somatic Cell Count (SCC) increase on changes in chemical composition in milk. Samples were collected and analyzed for fat, protein, lactose, solids non-fat (SNF) and total solids (TS) and SCC. Within three stages of lactation, all milk samples were analyzed for three times. The highest average of SCC was recorded in ewes aged 4 years (46.67) while lowest average was recorded at the age of 3-3.5 years (34.24%). Protein content was highest at ewes aged 1-1.5, whereas highest lactose percentage recorded at ewes aged 3-3.5. In conclusion, in high SCC milk, lactose content may be more indicative of SCC level than milk fat, protein, SNF and TS during lactation. Age of ewes is an important factor affecting milk composition, thus is a necessary parameter in optimizing sheep milk quality in conditions of subclinical mastitis.