1University Ahmed Zabana Relizane, Algeria.
2Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Ain Témouchent University-Belhadj Bouchaib, Algeria.
*Corresponding Author: Bouamra Mohammed, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Ain Témouchent University-Belhadj Bouchaib, Algeria. Email: vetobouamra@yahoo.fr
Mastitis is one of the most common diseases in dairy cows. It significantly reduces milk quality and yield, thus incurring economic losses for farmers. This study investigates the prevalence of subclinical mastitis (SCM) and its effects on reproductive performance in dairy cows in western Algeria.
From 620 clinically healthy cows from 22 herds were examined in the study. All cows were tested with the california mastitis test (CMT). Milk samples positive for subclinical mastitis were subjected to bacteriological analysis.
The present study revealed a prevalence of subclinical mastitis of 39.51%, (245 of 620). Microbiological analysis showed that, of the 245 analyzed milk samples, bacteria were present in 218 (88.97%), whereas 11.03% Bacteria-free samples. The isolated bacteria belonged mainly to non-aureus Staphylococci (NAS) (51.12%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (24.68%), Streptococcus spp. (16.05%) and Escherichia coli (8.15%). Subclinical mastitis did not appear to significantly affect the main components of milk, namely lactose content, solid nonfat, freezing point depression (FPD) and acidity. Although pH, solid nonfat, fat content and protein content remained significantly (p<0.05) affected by subclinical mastitis. The results of this study highlight the importance of mastitis control programs in dairy.
Dairy cow, Lactose content, Subclinical mastitis
