Some environmental factors affecting somatic cell count of Holstein cows

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine some effective factors on somatic cell count (SCC) of 123 Holstein cows raised in a private dairy farm in Samsun, Turkey on 70 14, 140 14 and 210 14 days in milk in 5 parities and 4 seasons. It was found that logSCC numbers increased with advanced parities and also in the summer season. Effect of stage of lactation on SCC was not significant (P>0.05) but, correlations between logSCC values of each stage of lactation and overall mean of logSCC was significantly high (P<0.01). Thus, the results of the present study demonstrate that mastitis risks rise with increasing age or parity and during summer, late spring and early autumn.