MILK PRODUCTION

MILK 

PRODUCTION 

06

ABSTRACT 

536 

MILK PRODUCTION 

Buffalo Milk in the Province 

of Formosa. Compositional Analysis. 

Preliminary Results. 

Correa, Julio R; GOMEZ, Julio C.; Pelozo, Carlos E; SALINAS, Irma; ROSALES, Sandra 

National Formosa University 

Holando Breeders Association 

Milk Recording Entity No. 131 

Buffalos Argentina Breeders Association 

Gutnisky 3200 (3600) 54-3717-454039 

Mailto: eclo131@unf.edu.ar , jcorrea09@yahoo.com 

The species bubalina in Argentina in 1976 was introduced in 1300 animal numbers, which were mostly aimed at the 

northeast region; from there the production experiment a rapid increase, reaching at present to establish an amount 

close to 100 mil head. In this context, the province of Formosa is one of the provinces with the highest number of 

animals, resulting in a productive part in the scheme and development priorities in their various skills: meat, milk, 

leather. 

In order to diversify and optimize the use of technology, the Santa Ursula incorporates special buffalo milk with a 

particular scheme, coordinating with the university (Holando Breeders Association) and Breeders Association Argentina 

Buffalo to start testing production. Estimated parameters in dairy cattle bubalino (Bubalus bubalis) in a subtropical 

region of the farms American (Formosa, Argentina) The soil characteristics are very different, where you can find low hills, 

high mountains, land with natural pastures and implemented according to the topography and soil type. What will define 

the landscape where the floris production. The herd consists of animals breed Murrah, Mediterranean and jafarabadi. 

Those who were selected from a herd of buffalo 1500. The criterion for selection is given by age, docility, phenotypic 

characteristics of a productive (mammary gland) and the physiological status (pregnant).The values found for milk 

production averaged 1.907 ± 0492 and 7.463 results and 3.616 ± 1.415 ± 0.675 of fat and protein respectively. This 

indicates that the individual production demand greater investment in technology such as genetics, nutrition, technology 

and milking facilities. The behavior of solids is a correlation between levels of milk production and its corresponding 

value of fat and protein. Expressed high levels of milk production with low percentages of fat and protein. 

Keyword: buffalo production tests fat protein 

ver texto en castellano 

Proceedings 9 th World Buffalo Congress


Buenos Aires, Abril 2010 537

538 


Buffaloes milk physicochemical properties 

raised on tropical pasture 

Oliveira, J.S.; Souza, A.O.; Fernandes, S. A. A. * ; Ferrão, S.P.B.; Silveira, E.S. 

Southwest of Bahia University, Praça Primavera 40, Primavera, Itapetinga, Bahia, Brazil. E-mail: fernandes_pe@hotmail.com 

Abstract 

The main objective of present investigation was to study the effect of lactation stage and animal’s breed on physicochemical 

properties of milk from buffalo. The experiment was carried out from May to September, 2008, in the Três Irmãos 

farm, located in the Maiquinique (Bahia, Brazil).The follow physicochemical parameters were determined: total acidity 

and pH, density, cryoscopy, which indicated that there was not interaction between breed and lactation stage. 

INTRODUCTION 

Key words: Buffalo Milk, Lactation Stage, Physicochemical Characteristics. 

The importance of food science and technology for improving the human beings quality of life is highlighted by the 

rising search for healthy food, with high nutritional value, available and accessible to people. With this, the investigation 

of alternative food sources has been the subject of extensive researches in the last decades. Buffalo’s milk is 

promising in this context, since it has a superior nutritional value due to the high levels of fat, protein and minerals 

(specially calcium and phosphorus), that can be consumed in natura and may be used as raw material for producing diary 

products, varying in accordance to each regional culture 1, 2 savu . Moreover, buffalos are extremely rustic and demonstrate a 

high adaptation capacity, being able to survive in diverse environments with huge weather variations, relief and vegetation, 

so growing them is very economically feasible 4-3,5-4 . The data found regarding buffalo’s milk characteristics are very 

varied, since several factors influence the physicochemical properties 6, 5-8, 6 . In this context, the aim of this work was to 

evaluate the quality of milk from buffalo herd raised in the Bahia southwest, concerning physicochemical characteristics, 

as well as factors that influence, such as the lactation stage and the animal’s breed. 

MATERIALS AND METHODS 

The experiment was carried out from May to September, 2008, in the Três Irmãos farm, located in the Maiquinique (Bahia, 

Brazil). Twenty four animals were separated, according to extern characteristics, 12 were of the Murrah breed and 12 of 

the Jafarabadi breed. Animal’s food was pasture with Brachiaria Decumbens, with mineral salt supplement available. 

Buffalos of the same race were subdivided in three groups, four animals each. One liter of milk was sampled from every 

animal. Samples from animals of the same group were mixed, forming a composed sample. Thus, the composed samples 

were collected during the lactation, at the beginning (approximately one month after lactation), in the middle (fifth 

month of lactation) and at the end (near the ninth month of lactation).The follow physicochemical parameters were 

determined: total acidity and pH, density and cryoscopy. For statistical analysis, the results obtained were treated using 



the totally random experimental outline with a 2 x 3 factorial design, two races (Murrah and Jafarabadi) and three 

lactation phases (beginning, middle and end), with three replicas for each experiment. To study the effect of race, 

lactation phase and the interaction between race and lactation phase, the results obtained were treated in SAEG, 

according to statistical methods, using the variance analysis and comparison tests among averages (Tukey), with 5% 

probability. 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

According to the results obtained for the physicochemical characterization of buffalo’s milk (Table 1), it was found that 

there was no interference statistic at 5% probability of breed and lactation stage studied in relation to pH, acidity, 

cryoscopy point and density. 

Table1. Physicochemical properties of Murrah and Jafarabadi Buffaloes milk 

Average followed by the same letter, lower case on the line to breed and capital letter in the column for lactation stage, 

don’t differ (P>0.05) by F and Tukey tests. 

There was no difference (p> 0.05) in acidity and pH during the three stages of lactation, however, noted that these 

parameters varied between Murrah and Jafarabadi breed. Jafarabadi breed showed higher pH (6.93) and lowest Dornic 

values (13.8 °D) when compared with the results of the Murrah which presented pH 6.79 and acidity of 16.3 °D. 

Regarding the cryoscopy point determined in Hortvet degrees, we identified a significant difference (p 0.05) between the results 

of the milk samples of buffaloes in early (-0.535 °H), mid (- 0.539 °H) and late (-0.542 ° H) lactations. The density, 

it is related to fat and solids not fat. There was no significant difference (p> 0.05) between breeds and between 

lactations stage. The results obtained may contribute for establishing quality control standards of buffalo’s milk produced 

in the Southwest Region of the Bahia State. 

Acknowledgments. The authors appreciate the assistance and input of Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia and 

Laticínio Rocha Ltda. 


REFERENCES 

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1.Dubey Pc, Suman C.L, Sanyal M.K. et al. 1997. Factors affecting composition of milk of buffaloes. Ind. J. Anim. Sci., 67(9):802-804. 

2. Savu V, Stanescu V, Culea C, et al. 1992. An investigation into so physicochemical characteristics of buffalo milk. Lucrare-Stiitifice, Univ. Stiinte 

Agronomics, Bucuresti-Seria-C, Medicina-Veterinara. 35(1):131-134. 

3.Arumughan, C, Narayanan Km, 1982. Influence of stage of lactation on the physical and chemical characteristics of buffalo milk - fat. Ind. J. 

Anim. Sci., 52(9):731-735. 

4. Sangwan, N, 1988. Changes in physical and chemical characteristics of milk during progression of laction in buffaloes. In: World Buffalo 

Congress, Nova Dehli. Anais, 276-279. 

5. Caldeira, La, Oliveira Js, Santos Ej, Silva Ac, et al., 2008. Caracterização físico-química do leite de búfalas proveniente da região sudoeste 

da Bahia, Revista Analítica, 37:80-83. 

6.Sgarbieri Vc, 2005. Revisão: Propriedades Estruturais e Físico-Químicas das Proteínas do Leite. Braz.J. Food. Technol. 9(2):123-134. 


SUMMARY 


Determination of on-farm direct cell 

count and biochemical composition 

of milk in buffaloes* 

Hamann 1 , J; Lind 2 , O and Bansal 3 , BK 

1 University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, D-30173 Hanover, Germany 

2 DeLaval International AB, SE-147 21 Tumba, Sweden 

3 Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana-141004, India 

Measure of milk somatic cell count (SCC) with DeLaval cell counter DCC showed usual SCC range in buffalo milk as 200-400 

×10 3 cells/ml. The mean electrical conductivity (EC) at bulk tank milk level was found as 3.58 mS/cm. A significant 

(p

542 


of DCC in measuring milk SCC in buffaloes was evaluated each at quarter, udder, and bulk tank level by precision characteristics 

repeatability r and reproducibility R. The statistical analysis for biochemical composition of milk vis-à-vis SCC 

was conducted using one-way analyses of variance. Pearson’s correlation coefficient quantified the relationship between 

DCC and CMT. The significance of the observed variance in r and R studies of DCC was analyzed by one-sided Chi-Square 

tests using ÷ 2 = (n-1)*s2 r /ó 2 2 Where óo is the expected value of the variance of normalized differences; 1 in present case. 

o 

The s 2 

r 

is the observed variance and n-1 degrees of freedom. The normalized difference in two DCC measurements was taken 

as the observed difference divided by the expected error of the Poisson error in addition to an error contribution of 6% 

in r and 8% in R. 

Results and Discussion 

The mean values of various biochemical components of milk in buffaloes at BTM level were found as; SCC: 323 ×10 3 cells/ 

ml; EC: 3.58 mS/cm, pH: 6.87, fat 8.17%, total protein: 2.90%, lactose: 4.61% and SNF: 8.94%. A significant alteration 

(p


Developmental Changes in Energy Substrates 

in winter born Buffalo Neonates and their 

relation to delayed colostrum intake 

Sujata Pandita¹ and M.L.Madan² 

Division of Dairy Cattle Physiology National Dairy Research Institute Karnal-132001 Haryana India. Corresponding Author: E-mail: 

sujata.pandita@rediffmail.com 

Abstract 

The present study was conducted on fourteen winter born buffalo calves to establish the developmental changes in 

various energy substrates and their relation to delayed colostrum intake. Blood samples were collected from these calves 

at 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24h after birth and subsequently once on day 7, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 and were analyzed for glucose, 

fructose, lactate, pyruvate and alkaline phosphatase. Colostrum was fed to these calves 8h after birth. Fructose was found 

to be an important energy source at birth (37.90±3.50 mg%) and its level registered a continuous fall on first day 

(P

544 


the intermediates of energy metabolism, have also been documented in newborn cattle calves post birth (Chand et al, 

1979). However, the changes that may occur in buffalo neonates on account of its poor survivability after birth continues 

to be the focal point of physiological investigations. The altered energy requirements post birth both in terms of 

thermolysis and thermo genesis have got many correlates, which need to be put to order in this species. This investigation 

was an attempt to bring out the chronological changes in energy substrates in response to delayed colostrum intake 

in buffalo calves post birth in winter season. 


Fourteen buffalo calves born during winter season irrespective of their time of birth with no evidence of health disorder 

were included in this study. Immediately after birth, these calves were removed from dams and were housed in a shed 

open from one side where they were allowed to move freely. The maximum temperature in the shed averaged 19.2±1.13°C 

while the minimum was 7.4±1.05°C. The relative humidity ranged between 50-90% during the entire period of study. The 

fetal fluid adhering to the body surface of the calves after birth was quickly dried with towels. These calves were assigned 

to first blood collection with in an hour of their birth by venipuncture from the jugular vein posing minimum disturbance 

to them. The blood was drawn into heparinised and nonheparinised vacuum tubes. Subsequently, the blood was 

collected at 2, 4, 8 and 24h. The calves received the first colostrum 8h after birth. The next feeding was done 12h after 

the first one. After this, the calves were fed colostrum twice a day for next four days and were subsequently shifted to milk 

feeding as per normal practice. The blood samples were also drawn on day 7, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 post birth once a day 

prior to a.m feeding. Nonheparinised samples were allowed to stand at room temperature for 20 min for clot formation. 

Serum was separated by centrifuging the samples at 3000 rpm for 20 min and stored at 4°C till the estimation of alkaline 

phosphatase. The heparinised blood was deproteinised using different deproteinising agents for analyzing different 

energy substrates viz 5% ZnSO4 and 4.5% Ba(OH)2 for the estimation of glucose and lactic acid; 10% ZnSO4 and 0.5N 

NaOH for fructose; 10% TCA for pyruvic acid immediately after blood collection. The filtrates were stored at 4°C until 

analysis, which was carried out with in 8h of collection of blood. 

The data was statistically analyzed for means and S.E. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to study changes on day 

1 between different hours by the calves. ANOVA was also applied to the data obtained till day 90 post birth. 


Glucose 

High levels of glucose (85.33±10.30 mg %) were found at birth (sample collected with in 1h, Table 1) in buffalo calves 

despite the fact that these calves were not offered colostrum. These further registered a significant rise (P


The values obtained in this investigation for the period immediately after birth are in agreement with those reported by 

Daniels et al, 1974 for cattle calves. Others have reported comparatively lower values (Comline and Edwards, 1968; Young 

et al, 1970; Chand et al, 1979). In addition to enhanced glycogenolysis and colostrum intake other factors that also 

seemed to be involved in regulating glucose homeostasis in blood during this period included the enzyme phosphofructokinase, 

hormones viz cortisol and thyroxine and cold temperature. Phosphofructokinase is involved in preparatory 

phase of glycolysis and is a rate-limiting enzyme for promotion of glucose use in the cell. After birth due to ATP 

inhibition of phosphofructokinase (Underwood and Newsholme, 1965), the glucose catabolism is slowed down which 

results in an increase in peripheral glucose. Sano et al (1979) obtained a positive correlation between blood glucose and 

thyroxine. Massip (1980) found a positive linear correlation between glucose and cortisol. Therefore, carbohydrate 

metabolism and the pituitary-adrenal-cortical system played an important role during this period of adaptation. The post 

8h increase in glucose in all the calves is attributed to colostrum feeding because of the conversion of lactose to glucose 

and its subsequent absorption from intestinal tract. Later on the levels of glucose tended to fluctuate nonsignificantly 

on different days (Tab 2). Relatively high levels of glucose during the entire period of study in these calves suggested an 

enhanced glucose exclusion from the tissues, an increase in use of NEFA and ketone bodies and action of Cori cycle which 

mobilizes glucose from the liver to peripheral circulation and returns lactate to liver for resynthesis of glucose (Bergman, 

1971). 

Fructose 

Fructose registered maximum value at birth, the average being 37.90±3.50 mg%, which steadily and significantly decreased 

till 24h (Table 1;P

546 


The high levels of lactic acid after birth have been associated with either excessive hypoxia or struggling at parturition 

(Comline and Silver, 1968) through an increased adrenaline concentration, which appears to be effective in raising the 

lactate concentration of the blood in the calf during first 24h of life. The levels increased from 8 to 29 mg% upon 

intravenous adrenaline injection (Graf and Petersen 1953). Bianca and Findlay (1962) also observed an increase in lactic 

acid by stimulation of sympathico- adrenal system causing an increased adrenal activity. 

The increased concentration of lactic acid and pyruvic acid postbirth in the blood reflected an increased rate of glycolysis 

in muscles to meet energy demands. The disappearance pattern of glucose and fructose from blood also indicated 

the same. Jedlica et al (1975) also opined that at low temperature increased utilization of glucose through glycolytic 

pathway would elevate the levels of lactic acid in the process of maintaining body temperature. 

The high levels of lactate could also be efficiently utilized as an energy system by the brain on day 1. Among insulin 

induced hypoglycemic neonate calves (Comline and Edwards, 1968) an increase in lactate concentration during first 24h 

after birth was obtained. Among older calves also in which lactate rose substantially (Gardiner, 1980) it was shown that 

there was no net uptake of lactate by liver. A few other studies (Oldendorf, 1971; Nemoto et al., 1974) have indicated the 

existence of stereo specific saturable carrier system for lactate at blood brain barrier. 

Alkaline Phosphatase 

The serum alkaline phosphatase activity with in 1h post birth was 4.28±0.45um/ml. The activity subsequently did not 

present variations for first 8h. But after colostrum feeding the levels increased significantly (p

REFERENCES 


1. Agergaard,N. 1976. Plasma alkaline phosphatase activity and growth in calves. Arsberetuingg, Institute for sterilitets forskning, Kongelige 

Veterinaer-Og Randbohojskole, 19: A30 (1976) 

2. Aherne, F., Hays, V.W., Ewan, R.C. and Speer, V.C. 1969. Glucose and fructose in fetal and newborn pig. J. Animal sci., 29:906-911. 

3. Barker, J.N. and Britton, H.G. 1958. Lactate and pyruvate metabolism in foetal sheep. J. Physiol., 143:50-51P. 

4. Bergman, E.N. 1971. Hyperketomia- Ketogenesis and ketone body metabolism. J. Dairy Sci., 54: 936-948. 

5. Bianca, W. and Findlay, J.D. 1962. The effect of thermally induced hyperpnea on acid base status of the blood of the calves. Res. Vet. Sci., 3:38- 

49. 

6. Boyd, J.W. 1989. Relation between acid base balance, serum composition and colostrums absorption in newborn calves. British Vet. Journal 

136:597. Indian J. Exp. Biol., 17:574-577. 

8. Chand, D., Georgie, G.C., Madan, M.L. and Razdan, M.N. 1981. Plasma alkaline phosphatase activity in newborn calves of Hariana and Triple and 

half crosses of hariana with exotic breed. Ind. J. Dairy sci., 34:338-340. 

9. Comline, R.S. and Edwards, A.V. 1968. The effects of insulin on newborn calf. J. Physiol 198: 383-340. 

10. Comline, R.S. and Silver, M. 1966. The development of adrenal medulla of the foetal and newborn calf. J. Physiol., 183:305-340. 

11. Daniels, L.B., Perkins,J.L., Knederd,T.D., Tugwell, D. and Carpenter, D. 1974. Blood glucose and fructose in the newborn ruminants. J. Dairy 

Sci.,, 57:1196-1199. 

12. Dawes, G.S., Jacobson, H.N., Mott, J.C. and Shelley, H.J. 1963. The treatment of asyphyxiated, mature foetal lambs and rhesus monkeys with 

intravenous glucose and sodium carbonate. J. Physiol., 169:167-184. 

13. Edwards, A.V. 1964. The resistance of hypoglycemia in newborn calf. J. Physiol., 17:46-47. 

14. Edwards, A.V. and Silver, M. 1970. The glycogenolytic response to stimulation of splanchnic nerves in adrenalectomized calves. J. Physiol., 

211:109-124. 

15. Fay, J.P. Cheng, K.J. and Costerton, J.W. 1980. Alkaline phosphatase activity associated with the walls of different organs of the gastrointestinal 

tract in newborn, young and yearling bovines: Effects of diet and fasting. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 61:311 

16. Gardiner, R.M. 1980. The effects of hypoglycemia on cerebral blood flow and metabolism in newborn calf. J. Physiol., 298:37-51. 

17. Graf, G.C. and Petersen, W.E. 1953. Changes in respiration and heart rate, body temperature, plasma lactic acid levels and plasma creatinine 

levels caused by stress in dairy cattle. J. Dairy Sci., 36:1036. 

18. Healy, P.J. 1975. Isoenzymes of alkaline phosphatase in serum of newly born lambs. Res. Vet. Sci. 19:127. 

19. Jedlica, J., Mojto, J. and Gajdosik, M. 1975. Effect of short time loads on the levels of 17-OH Cs, free fatty acids and glucose in the blood of 

sheep. Vet. Bull., 46 Ref. 3394. 

20. Kurz, M.M. and Willet, L.B. 1991. Carbohydrate, enzyme and haemotology dynamics in newborn calves. J. Dairy Sci. 74: 2109-2118. 

21. Massip, A. 1980. Cortisol and glucose concentration at birth. British Vet. Journal 136:597. 

22. Nemoto, E.M., Hoff, J.T. and Severinghaus, J.W. 1974. Lactate uptake by brain during hyperlactemia and hypoglycaemia. Stroke, 5:48-53. 

23. Oldendrof,W.H. Blood brain barrier permeability to lactate. Eur. Neurol.,6:49-55. 

24. Sano, H., Takahashi,K., Fujita , M ., Ambo , K. and Tsuda , T. 1979. Effects of environmental heat exposure on physiological responses, blood 

constituents and parameters of blood glucose metabolism in sheep. Tohoku . J . Agri . Res ., 30 (2): 76-86. 

25. Shelley, H.G. and Dawes, G.S. 1962. Fate of fructose in newly delivered lamb .Nature , 194: 296-297. 

26.Singh, A.P., Joshi, H.C and Singh, R. 1972. Studies on certain blood constituents in cattle and buffaloes. Ind. Vet. J., 49 : 473-477. 

27. Underwood, A.H. and Newsholme, E.A. 1965. Properties of phosphofructokinase from rat liver and their relation to the control of glycolysis 

and gluconeogenesis.Biochem. J., 95: 868-875. 

28. Walker, D.G. 1963. The postnatal development of hepatic phosphofructokinase. Biochem. J. 87:576-581. 

29. Young, J.W., Otchere, E.D., Trenkle, A. and Jacobson, N.L. 1970. Effect of age on glucose, reducing sugars and plasma insulin in blood of 

milk fed calves. J. Nutr., 100:1267-1274. 


548 


Table: 1. Changes in energy substrates in buffalo calves during extrauterine life without or with nutrient intake 

Table 2: Changes in energy substrates from day 7 to 90 post birth 

** Significant at 1% level 


Abstract 


Effect of Different Physiological Stages and 

Managemental Practices on Milk Somatic 

Cell Counts of Murrah Buffaloes 

Kalyan De; Joydip Mukherjee; Shiv Prasad and A.K. Dang 1 

National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal- 132 001, Haryana, India 

Email: rajadang@rediffmail.com 

To see the effect of different physiological stages and mangemental practices on amount of milk somatic cells secreted 

from udder of Murrah buffaloes. Milk was collected from 64 Murrah buffaloes which were divided into various groups 

according to their stage of lactation, parity, colostrums collected, body weight, body condition score, season, milking 

practices and fractionated. There were non-significant changes in milk SCC in early, mid and late lactation. Milk SCC 

increased non-significantly from 1 st to 4 th parity. Milk SCC were significantly higher (P

550 


also been represented in Table 1. Individual milk samples pooled for all four quarters from the entire animal were collected 

separately. About 100 ml of milk was collected aseptically in clean milk bottles. The samples were brought to the 

laboratory immediately after collection and placed in refrigerator till use. For SCC the slides were prepared within one 

hour of collection of milk samples. Milk SCC was estimated microscopically 3 . The SCC were measured under the microscope 

with a magnification of 100 X 10 in 200 fields and average number of cells per field was multiplied by the microscopic 

factor (8.81134633). The microscopic factor was determined by using ocular and stage micrometer. Somatic cell counts/ 

ml of milk (lakh) = Average cells count in one field x 8.81134633. The data obtained were subjected to statistical 

analysis using least square analysis of variance. 


Mean ± SE values of SCC (10 5 cells /ml) in milk during different physiological stages and under different managemental 

practices have been presented in Table 1. The values of milk SCC were within range 2 as reported in Murrah buffaloes. There 

were non-significant changes in Milk SCC in early, mid and late lactation. Little change in milk SCC has also been reported 

with stage of lactation in cows 5 . On comparing the effect of parity on milk SCC, it was observed by milk SCC increased 

non-significantly from 1 st to 4 th parity. The reason may be that SCC is positively correlated with milk production and milk 

production increases with an increase in parity. Milk SCC were significantly higher (P


There was a decrease in milk SCC in normal milk from that of fore milk which again increased in stripping. A higher 

concentration of SCC in the stripping may be due to the sloughing off of more cells into milk and an increase in fore milk 

SCC may be due to the presence of pathogens towards the teat end which may promote movement of somatic cells towards 

it. 

Our results indicate that as in cows, milk SCC also varies in the milk of Murrah buffaloes under different physiological 

stages and managemental practices. Although, buffaloes possess a powerful defence mechanism against mastitis due to 

their tight teat sphincter 7 and long narrow teat canal which can be expected to effectively prevent micro-organisms from 

invading the udder 9 . But with change in management systems (increased feeding and introduction of machine milkings) 

an increase in milk SCC is there which may Increase the chance of mammary infection. Therefore, buffaloes of high parity, 

producing more milk and those exposed to summer stress require proper care and management to maintain their milk 

production. 

REFERENCES 

1.Berry, D. P., Lee, J. M., Macdonald, K. A., Stafford, K., Matthews, L. and Roche, J. R. 2007. Associations among body condition score, body 

weight, somatic cell count, and clinical mastitis in seasonally calving dairy cattle. J. Dairy Sci., 90: 637–648. 

2.Dang, A. K. and Anand, S. K. 2007. Effect of milking systems on the milk somatic cell counts and composition. Livest. Res. Rural Develop., 

19(6):(1-9). (http://www. cipav.org.co /lrrd/lrrd19/6/dang19074.htm). 

3.Dang, A.K., Kapila, S., Singh, C. and Sehgal, J.P. 2008. Milk differential cell counts and compositional changes in cows during different 

physiological stages, Milchwissenschaft (3): 239-242. 

4.Dang, A.K., Kapila, S., Tomar, P. and Singh, C. 2007. Immunity of the Buffalo Mammary Gland during Different Physiological Stages. Asian-Aust. 

J. Anim. Sci., 20(8): 1174-1181. 

5.Eberhart, R. J., Hutchinson, L. J. and Spencer, S. B. 1982. Relationships of bulk tank somatic cell counts to prevalence of intramammary 

infection and to indices of herd production. J. Food Prot., 45: 1125-1128. 

6.Harmon, R.J. 1994. Physiology of mastitis and factors affecting somatic cell counts. J. Dairy Sci., 77 (7): 2103-2112. 

7.Hogberg, S.M. and O. Lind. 2003. Buffalo Milk Production - Chapter 6: Milking the buffalo, www.milkproduction. com. 

8.Kelly, A. K., Tiernan, D., Osullivan, C. and Joyce, P. 2000. Correlation between bovine milk somatic cell counts and polymorphonuclear 

leukocyte level for samples of bulk milk and milk from individual cows. J. Dairy Sci., 83(2): 300-304. 

9.Uppal, S.K., Singh, K. B., Roy, K. S., Nuriyal D. S. and Bansal, B. K. 1994. Natural defence mechanism against mastitis: A comparative 

histomorphology of buffalo teat canal. Buffalo J., 2 :125-131. 


552 


Effect of Somatic Cell Count on 

Murrah buffaloes milk 

Fernandes, S.A. de A. 1* ; Mattos, W. R. S. 2 ; Matarazzo, S. M 3 , Gama, M. A. S. 4 ; Malhado, C. H. M. 1 ; Ferrão, S, P. B 1 ; 

Etchegaray, M. A.L. 2 ; Lima, C. G. de 2 . 

1 - Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia (UESB); 2 – Universidade de São Paulo (USP); 3 - Universidade Estadual de 

Santa Cruz (UESC); 4 - EMBRAPA Gado de Leite/Juíz de Fora. * Corresponding author: fernandes_pe@hotmail.com 

Abstract 

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of somatic cell count (SCC) on buffalo milk. Samples were collected monthly from 

156 Murrah buffaloes during lactation, in 4 production systems (tropical pasture with supplementation), in Brazil. The 

SCC was determined by flow cytometry, using the Somacount 300. The fat, crude protein and lactose were determined by 

infrared light reading absorption, using the Bentley 2000 (Bentley Instruments). The SCC range in milk was (x 1.000 

cells): Group 1 – until 250; Group 2 - more 250 to 450; Group 3 – more 450 to 750; Group 4 – more 750 to 1.000; Group 

5 - more 1.000. The larger frequency of samples was observed in the Group 1 (89.7%). In the Group 2 was observed 4.6% 

of samples. In turn, in the Group 3 was 1.8%, in the Group 4 was 0.7%, and in the Group 5 was observed 3.2% of milk 

samples. Milk components such as fat, protein and lactose were not affected in spite of a decrease in their concentration. 

Perhaps, this result is due to the small number of samples in 3, 4 and 5 Groups. However, significant effect of SCC on the 

solids was observed. Most total solids concentration was observed in the Group 1 (17.1±1.71%) did not differ from Group 

2 (16.5±1.45%) and Group 3 (16.8±2.09%), however was observed statistical effect from intervals 4 (15.8±2.43%) and 

5 (14.5±2.39%). In the 2, 3 and 4 Groups was not find statistical difference, however, they differ in the range 5. The SCC 

did not affect the composition of buffalo’s milk. 

INTRODUCTION 

Key-words: crude protein; fat, lactose, milk 

Brazilian milk is regulated by the Normative Instruction 51 (IN 51) 1 . This Instruction determines the maximum values of 

milk components, varying from region to region. Therefore, at the Northeast, the Somatic Cell Count (SCC)/mL must not 

be superior than 1 million, until July 2010. Between July 2010 and July 2012, this count must be lower than 750 million 

SC/mL and from July 2010, it must be lower than 400 million SC/mL (1). Tracking is important for controlling mastitis in 

herds, due to the economic loss caused by the disease 2,3 . Mastitis positively correlates to SCC in milk, which turns this 

test widely accepted as a determinant in milk quality. There is not widespread information about SCC in buffalo‘s milk in 

Brasil. 

Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the SCC of milk buffalo and its influence on its components. 


MATERIAL AND METHODS 


One hundred and fifty six samples of buffalo Murrah were collected, monthly, during their lactation period on 2002, from 

grazing cattle with supplementation, in Brazil. Samples of 50 mL of raw milk were individually collected, after milking, in 

plastic recipients of 2-bromium-2-nitroprophane-1,3diol (Bronopol) and kept cooled in isothermal boxes with recycled 

ice. Somatic Cell Count (SCC) was conducted by flow cytometry, using the Somacount 300. The fat, crude protein and 

lactose were determined by infrared light reading absorption, using the Bentley 2000 (Bentley Instruments). The SCC 

range in milk was (x 1.000 cells): Group 1 – until 250; Group 2 - more 250 to 450; Group 3 – more 450 to 750; Group 

4 – more 750 to 1.000; Group 5 - more 1.000. The results were analyzed by Student-Newman-Keuls test, at 5% probability, 

using SAS (4). 


It was observed that 96,8% of samples (Table 1) were within the limits established by Brazilian Legislation. More important, 

89,7% of samples presented SCC lower than 250 thousand. According to the chronogram of IN 51, over 90% of 

buffalo milk producers will follow establishments from July 2012. As is it possible to observe, there was not a significant 

effect (P>0,05%) of SCC for fat, total protein and lactose test. However, total solids content differed (P

554 


Factors Affecting the Milking Behavior in 

BuffaloesUnder Farmers Conditions 

Singh, R.*; Singh, Y.P.; Raj Kumar, R.; Kumar, R. 

Department of Animal Husbandry .Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut-250 110 (U.P.) India. 

E-mail: rajbirsinghsvbp@gmail.com 

Abstract 

The observation and measurements of 118 buffaloes of Murrah, Nili-Ravi and local breeds maintained by the farmers at 

three villages viz Goharni, Badheo and Bhainswal of district M. Nagar (U.P.) India for a period of two months i.e. from 1st 

July to 31st Aug. 2005 were taken. Four observations on each milking trait were taken continuously on each buffalo. 

Least squares technique was used to study the effect of breeds, parity, stage of lactation, shape of teats, let down with 

or without calf, method of milking, fodder feeding concentrate feeding and shift of milking. Out of 118 buffaloes under 

investigation 51 buffaloes were Murrah or Murrah type, 20 Nili-Ravi and 47 were non descript. The overall least squares 

means for milk let down time, actual milking time, milk yield per milking and milk flow rate were found as 154.99±5.56 

seconds, 289.85±12.20 seconds, 2994.35±106.52 gms and 10.50±0.29 gms/second, respectively. The milk let down 

time was influenced significantly (P


same purpose in village conditions, where milk production records of animals are not available. Hence it is not easy to 

select the best animal. It is therefore essential to have some idea of the indications of high yielding animals. Few reports 

available in literature have indicated that there is positive association between milk yield and milk flow rate. Therefore 

it was thought to plan the present investigation to arrive at some important information which can be used for selection 

of the animals at farmer’s conditions, where data of milk recording is not available. 


The present study was conducted on the observations and measurements of 118 buffaloes of Murrah, Nili-Ravi and local 

breed of buffaloes maintained by the farmers at three villages of districts M.Nagar (U.P.), India for a period of two months 

i.e. from 1 st July to 31 st August, 2005. Four observations on each milking trait i.e. milk letdown time, actual milking time, 

milk yield per milking and milk flow rate were taken continuously on each buffalo. The buffaloes under the study belonged 

to different stage of lactation and different parities. These buffaloes were milked twice a day (morning and evening) by 

different methods of hand milking and calves were allowed to suckle their mother. The buffaloes without calf due to death 

of the calf were stimulated by hands and oxytocin injection for milk let down. The milking was performed by full hand 

method and by thumb-in method using both hands from beginning of milking till the end of stripping. The animals under 

study had all four teats functional. 

The least squares model 7 was used to study the effect of breeds, parity, stage of lactation, shape of teats, letdown with 

or without calf, method of milking, fodder feeding, concentrate feeding and shift of milking. The association among 

milking traits was calculated by estimating the correlation coefficients among milking traits. 


Milk letdown time: The letdown time of buffaloes, if reduced, we can save expenditure involved in milking process. 

Mostly, early letting down reflex helps in quicker and fuller evacuation of alveolar milk from the udder of buffaloes (Aliv, 

1969). The overall average of milk letdown time observed in the present investigation was 154.19±5.56 seconds (table 

1). This traits was significantly (P

556 


Table 1. Least-squares mean of milking traits and milk yield. 



Table 2. Least-squares analysis of variance (mean squares only) of milking traits and milk yield. 

Milk yield per milking: The overall average of milk yield per milking on test day was 2994.35 ±106.52 gms (table1). 

Whereas, higher average milk yield per milking i.e. 3402±59 gms was reported earlier 6 . The differences in milk yield per 

milking due to parity order and stage of lactation were highly significant and due to shape of teats and method of 

milking were significant (table 2). Earlier workers 10 also noticed significant effect of parity order and stage of lactation 

on milk yield per milking. Significantly higher daily milk yield in un-weaned buffaloes in compression of weaned buffaloes 

has been reported 12 . 

Milk Flow Rate – The milk flow rate from udder is an important management trait of buffaloes. Earlier report 11 suggested 

that milk flow rate can be used in evaluating dairy animal for milk production under field condition where milk recording 

is not practiced. The overall average of milk flow rate under hand milking was 10.50+0.29 gms/seconds (Table 1). Almost 

similar milk flow rate was observed earlier 2 in buffaloes. Where as the present estimate was lower as compared to the 

average milk flow rate (15 gms/second) reported by others 8 . The least –squares analysis of data (Table 2) showed that 

breed, parity order, stage of lactation, time of fodder feeding and trend of concentrate feeding had highly significant 

effect on milk flow rate. Earlier studies 3,9,10 reported significant effect of parity order and stage of lactation on this trait. 

Correlation among milk yield and various milking traits 

* = P

Table 3. Simple correlation between various traits. 

558 


Acknowledgement. The authors are grateful to the buffalo owners who have allowed us to take the observations on their 

buffaloes. 

REFERENCES 

1.Aliev, M.G. 1969. Physiology of milk ejection in buffaloes – A review. Diary Sci. Abstr., 31 : 677-680. 

2.Aliev, M.G. 1970. Physiology of machine milking in buffaloes – A review. Diary Sci. Abstr., 32 : 329-333. 

3.Alim, K.A. 1985. Aspects of studied on milking characteristics and udder traits in buffalo. World Rev. Anim. Prod., 18: 32-41. 

4.Bhardwaj, A.; Sastry, N.S.R. and Yadav, M.S. 1987. Lactational and mammary system influences on milking behaviour of buffaloes: A note. Indian 

J. Anim. Prod. & Mgmt., 3 : 129-133. 

5.Dash, P.C.; Basu, S.B.; Sharma, K.N.S. and Sarma, P.A. 1976. Milking behaviour of Murrah buffaloes. Indian J. Dairy Sci., 29: 41-45. 

6.Gangwar, P.C. 1976. The effect of stage of lactation on letdown time, milking time, milk yield, average flow rate and milk composition in 

buffaloes. Indian J. Nutr. Dietet., 13: 252-261. 

7.Harvey, W.R. 1966. Least-squares analysis of data with unequal sub-class numbers. United State Department of Agriculture. Agric. Res. Service, 

Washington, D.C., 20 : 8. 

8.Mahadevappa, M.; Bhatnagar, D.S. and Gurnani, M. 1971. Rate of milk flow in dairy animals. Indian J. Anim. Res., 5: 1-8. 

9.Roy, P.K. and Nagpaul, P.K. 1984. Influence on genetic and non-genetic factors on temperament score and other traits of dairy management. 

Indian J. Anim. Sci., 54 : 566-568. 

10.Roy, P.K. and Nagpaul, P.K. 1985. Behavioral studies of dairy cows and buffaloes in the milking parlour. World Rev. Anim. Prod., 21: 49-54. 

11.Swaid, A.H. and Sastry, N.S.R. 1982. Relationship of rate of milk flow with milk production, composition and udder conformation in crossbred 

cows under hand-milking conditions. Indian J. Anim. Sci., 52: 1189-1192. 

12.Verma, G.S.; Tomar, S.S. and Bhatnagar, D.S. 1981. Effect of weaning in Murrah buffaloes on their production performance. Indian J. Dairy Sci., 

34: 353-355. 



Implementation of milk control and its 

influence on the behavior and productivity 

of Murrah buffaloes 1 * 

Andréa, M.V. 1 ; Oliveira, R.S. 1 ; Marcondes, C.R. 2 ; Souza, E.A. 3 ; Silva, V.C. 1 ; Dantas, J.L.S. 1 ; 

Oliveira, K.N. 1 ; Santos, D.M. 1 

1 Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, Campus Universitário de Cruz das Almas, Cruz das Almas-BA, Brazil. 2 Embrapa 

Amazônia Oriental, Tv. Dr. Enéas Pinheiro, s/n, Belém-PA, Brazil. 3 Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Campus 

Universitário de Itapetinga, Praça Primavera, 40, Itapetinga-BA, Brazil. 

E-mail: mariaandrea115@hotmail.com 

Abstract 

Buffalos have become an economically viable source of protein due to their adaptability, precocity and longevity. 

Knowledge about the behavior of this species contributes to its welfare and good performance in terms of productivity. 

In an attempt to promote advances, 24 Murrah buffaloes participating in an improvement program at Recôncavo of 

Bahia, Brazil, were monitored during the first three months of Milk Control (CL) for their behavior in the milking room, in 

the presence of st rangers. The behavioral variables monitored through direct observation were: permanence in the 

milking room (TPOR); milking time (TOR); rumination (Ru); defecation (Def); miction (Mic); reactivity (Reat); stress level 

(Nest). In addition, records were made of milk production on the date (PLO), milk production one week later (PLP) and 

class (CAT1 for first parturition and CAT2 for multiparous). The mean TPOR was 21, and the mean TOR was seven minutes. 

Only one defecated and three urinated during the first CL. Approximately 50% presented Reat mode equal to 1, 33% equal 

to 2 and only 17% equal to 3, with 80% in CAT1 and 58% in CAT2 showing little or no restlessness during milking. As for 

the modal Nest, only t wo CAT2 animals were rated as restless, 40% as slightly restless and 50% as quietly. The mean PLO 

was 7.54 kg, whereas the mean PLP was 10.06kg. The modal Nest and CAT were significant (P0.05). The rank correlations 

between PLO and PLP were significant (P

INTRODUCTION 

560 


Buffalos have become an economically viable source of protein due to their adaptability, precocity and longevity. Human 

and dairy cattle interact on a daily basis in routine activities, which may have positive or negative effects on production 

and animal welfare 1 . Studies of animal behavior have aimed to describe how food traits and/or handling practices relate 

to behavioral aspects, linking behavioral changes as indicators of animal comfort with productive aspects 2 . The objective 

of this study was to assess the 

behavior of buffaloes in the milking parlor under the influence of strangers’ being present during the monthly Milk 

Control, throughout the first three lactation months, and verify how that affected the production of Murrah animals. 


Murrah buffaloes (N=24) participating in an improvement program at Recôncavo of Bahia, Brazil, were monitored during 

the first three months of Milk Control (CL) for their behavior in the milking parlor, in the presence of strangers. 

Throughout the study, there was no change in the routine followed by animals. The milking parlor is comprised of two 

lines with eight animals in either side. After being milked, the animals are allowed to eat for approximately one hour the 

concentrated mixture of wheat flour and grains, combined to suit the lactation phase. 

The behavioral variables monitored through direct observation were: permanence in the milking parlor (TPOR) – duration 

of the time the animal remained in the milking parlor, in minutes; milking time (TOR) – how long the animal was milked 

for, in minutes; rumination (Ru) – whether the animal ruminated in the milking parlor (equal to 1) or not (equal to 0); 

defecation (Def) - whether the animal defecated in the milking parlor (equal to 1) or not (equal to 0); miction (Mic) – 

whether the animal urinated in 

the milking parlor (equal to 1) or not (equal to 0); reactivity (Reat) – animal limb movements in the milking parlor (1 = 

remained still; 2 = limbs raised up to 15cm above the ground; 3 = limbs raised more than 15cm above the ground); stress 

level (Nest) – equal to 1 for a restless animal, 2 for a slightly restless animal, and 3 for a calm animal). In addition, records 

were made of milk production on the date (PLO), milk production one week later (PLP), and class (CAT1 for first parturition 

and CAT2 for multiparous). Descriptive statistics for variables TPOR (in minutes), TOR (in minutes), PLO (in kg/day) 

and PLP (in kg/day) were calculated by the Statistical Analysis System software (SAS, 

2002), as was the Spearman correlation between the production means when strangers were present in and absent from 

the parlor. 


The mean TPOR was 21, and the mean TOR was seven minutes. The mean PLO was 7.54 kg, whereas the mean PLP was 

10.06kg. Only one animal defecated and three urinated during the first CL (Figure 1). Approximately 50% presented Reat 

mode equal to 1, 33% equal to 2 and only 17% equal to 3, with 80% in CAT1 and 58% in CAT2 showing little or no 

restlessness during milking. As for the modal Nest, only two CAT2 animals were rated as restless, 40% as slightly restless 

and 50% as quiet. According to a previous study 1 , a high rumination rate, little reactivity during milking, reduced 

defecation and miction increase productivity and milk quality. 



Figure 1. Percentage of buffaloes for each observation category (Level 1 = defecated, urinated or ruminated, and level 

0 = did not defecate, did not urinate and did not ruminate). 

The modal Nest and CAT were significant (P0.05). The rank correlations between PLO and PLP were significant (P

562 


Indices of atherogenicity and thrombogenicity 

in milk fat from Buffaloes raised under 

different feeding systems 

Fernandes, S.A. de A. 1 ; Mattos, W. R. S. 2 ; Matarazzo, S. M 3 , Gama, M. A. S. 4 ; Malhado, C. H. M. 1 , Etchegaray, M. A. L. 5; 

Lima, C. G. de 2 . 

1 - Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia (UESB), Praça Primavera, 40. DTRA/UESB. Itapetinga, Brasil. CEP 45.700-000; 2 

– Universidade de São Paulo (USP); 3 - Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC); 4 - EMBRAPA Gado de Leite/Juiz de Fora. Email: 

fernandes_pe@hotmail.com 

Abstract 

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different feeding systems on milk fat quality of Murrah buffaloes. Forty Murrah 

buffaloes from 5 different Brazilian farms (n=8 animals/farm) were used. Milk samples were collected monthly throughout a 

single lactation, and fatty acid profile was determined by gas chromatography. Milk fatty acid profile was used to calculate the 

nutritional quality of milk fat according to the following indices: atherogenicity index (AI); thrombogenicity index (TI); omega 

6/omega 3 (n6/n3) ratio and desirable fatty acids (DFA). Statistical analyses were performed using PROC Univariete from 7 . 

The smallest AI (1.49±0.43) was observed in milk fat from Buffaloes raised in the Farm 3. No differences among farms were 

observed for TI and n6/n3 ratio. However, DFA differed among farms, with milk fat of Buffaloes from Farm 3 showing the highest 

values (47.17%). Our results showed that nutritional quality of milk fat from Murrah Buffaloes is influenced by different 

feeding systems. 

INTRODUCTION 

Key words: milk fatty acids, atherosclerosis, human health, Buffaloes, nutrition 

Due to health concerns, much attention has been focused on milk fat composition. The index of atherogenicity (AI) basically 

describes the ratio between pro and anti-atherogenic fatty acids 1 . In milk and dairy products, the value found is around 2 

however AI=1,5 is considered low and 2,5 is high 2 . The index of thrombogenicity (IT) considers the major saturated fatty acids 

as pro-thrombogenic, while the unsaturated ones are considered anti-thrombogenic 1 . Another index used in nutritional assessment 

of fats and oils is the n6/n3 ratio. According to 3 this ratio must be £ 4.0. The objective of this work was to evaluate the 

AI, TI, n6/n3 ratio and desirable fatty acids (DFA) in milk fat from Buffaloes raised under different feeding systems. 


This trial was carried out on five commercial farms located at Sarapui (23º38’28” S and 47º49’38” W) and Pilar do Sul 

(23º48’44” S and 47º42’29” W) cities, state of São Paulo, Brazil. In each farm, milk samples from eight buffaloes were 

collected from April to November 2002. Milk samples were stored at -20º until analyzed for fatty acid composition. The nutritional 

management adopted in each farm was as follow: Farm 1- buffaloes were maintained in feedlot and fed corn silage and wet 

brewers grain as the main sources of forage and concentrate, respectively; Farm 2 - buffaloes were maintained in feedlot and fed 



corn silage, either chopped fresh grass (Pennisetum purpureum) or sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum), and wet brewers 

grain as the primary concentrate source; Farm 3- buffaloes were maintained on pasture (Brachiaria decumbens) supplemented 

with sugarcane and wet brewers grain as the primary concentrate source, Farm 4- buffaloes were maintained on pasture 

(Brachiaria decumbens) supplemented with corn silage and wet brewers grain only in April, October and November; Farm 5buffaloes 

were maintained on pasture (Brachiaria ruziziensis) supplemented with grass silage (B. ruziziensis) and concentrate 

(whole cottonseed, citric pulp and urea) plus wet brewers grain. Milk fat from samples was extracted according to 4 and fatty acids 

methylation was performed as described by 5 . Fatty acids methyl esters were analyzed by gas chromatograph as described 6 . 

Atherogenicity index (AI) and thrombogenicity index (TI) were calculated according to 1 : AI = ((C12:0 + (4 x C14:0) + 

C16:0)/ÓAGMI + Ón6+ Ón3); TI = (C14:0 + C16:0 + C18:0)/{(0.5 x ÓAGMI) + (0.5 x Ó n6 + (3 x Ó n3) + (Ó + Ón3 + Ó 

n6)}.The n6/n3 series ratio and desirable fatty acids: DFA = (unsaturated + C18:0) were also calculated from milk fatty acid 

profile. 


As shown in the Table 1, milk fat from Buffaloes raised in Farm 3 had the lowest AI (1.49±0.43, P

564 


Lipid Profile of Murrah buffalo milk 

Caldeira, L. A. 1 ; Ferrão, S. P. B. 2 ; Fernandes, S. A. de A. 2 ; Santos, T. D. R. 3 ; Magnavita, A. P. A. 3 

1 Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros-UNIMONTES. Campus Janaúba, Av. Reinaldo Viana, 2630, Bico da Pedra. Janaúba/MG, 

Brasil. 2 Departamento de Tecnologia Rural e Animal, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia – UESB, Itapetinga /BA, Brasil. 

3 Post-graduated students, Mestrado em Engenharia de Alimentos. Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia – UESB, 

Itapetinga /BA, Brasil. E-mail: luburq@yahoo.com.br 

Abstract 

The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of buffalo milk using as a parameter the fatty acid profile of Murrah water 

buffalo milk in early and late lactation stage, on tropical pasture (Brachiaria decumbens). The samples were collected from 

thirty-eight animals at a herd (Bahia state, Brazil). The fatty acid profile was performed by gas chromatography and the 

statistics analysis was carried out using Test t of Student for matching data at 5% significance. Higher concentrations of 

saturated fatty acids in early and late lactation were observed. In turn, there was an increase of monounsaturated fatty acids 

concentration. In assessing the nutritional quality of lipid fraction, the buffalo’s milk from the late stage lactation was more 

nutritionally adequate food intake. 

Key words: composition, CLA, fatty acids, lactation 

INTRODUCTION 

Milk and dairy products may be designated as functional food. The main characteristic of ruminant milk is its content of 

short and intermediary fatty acid chains, which are related to aroma, flavor and fluidity. Approximately 2% of fat is 

composed of polyunsaturated fatty acids and 70% of saturated. However, less than 40% are classified as hazardous (C 12:0 , 

C 14:0 e C 16:0 ) 2 . According to 3, the fatty acids which appear in biggest proportions in buffalo milk are, in order, C 16:0 , C 18:1 , 

C 18:0 e C 14:0. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the lipid profile of Murrah buffalo milk at the beginning 

and in the end of the lactation period. 


Thirty eight sampled were obtained from Murrah buffalo through mechanic milking, exclusively grazing (Brachiaria decumbens) 

buffalo at a commercial farm located at Uruçuca, BA, Brazil. Samples were collected on July and October, 2007, months that 

characterize the initial and final stage of lactation, respective. Lipid extraction for determining fatty acid profile purposes was 

conducted following procedures established by 4 and methylation step was conducted following procedures 5. Fatty acid profile 

was determined by gas chromatography using silica capilar column (100 m X 0,25 mm X 0,2 mm; Supelco) and flame ion 

detector, with hydrogen as the carrying gas. 


Lactation period has influenced saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid profile of milk (Table 1). At 

the beginning of lactation, milk presented the highest proportion of saturated fatty acids if compared to the final stage. 

This profile is strongly influenced by the lactation period due to the need of mobilizing lipid storages at the beginning 

of lactation. The last contributed for the presence of, mainly, saturated fatty acids in ruminant milk. In the end of 

lactation, there was an increase on the concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids. 



Table 1 - Fatty acid profile (± standard deviation) of Murrah buffalo milk, at the beginning and in the end of 

lactation 

a,b Avarages followed by different letters in the same line are statistically different by T test at 5% probability 

The result for the set of hypercholesterolemic fatty acids (C12:0, C14:0 e C16:0) were lower than those reported by 6. In 

the end of lactation period, there was a superior average of desirable fatty acids (unsaturated + C18:0), 49,41%, showing 

superiority, from a nutritional point of view, of the milk obtained in the beginning of lactation period (45,63%). 

REFERENCES 

1. Santos, F. L.; Silva, M. T. C.; Lana, R. P. et al.. Efeito da suplementação de lipídeos na ração sobre a produção de ácido linoléico conjugado (CLA) 

e a composição de gordura do leite de vacas. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, 30:1931-1938. 

2. Turpeinen, A. M.; Burdge, G. C.; Kew, S. et al. Opposing effects cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoléico acid on blood lipids in 

health humans. The American Journal Clinical Nutrition, 80:614-620. 

3. Fernandes, S.A. De A.; Mattos, W. R. S.; Matarazzo, S. V. et al. 2007. Total Fatty Acids in Murrah Buffaloes Milk on Commercial Farms in Brazil. 

Italian Journal of Animal Science, 6:1063-1066. 

4. Hara, A.; Radim, N. S. 1978 Lipid extraction of tissues with low toxicity solvent. Analytical Biochemistry, 90:420-426. 

5. Christie, W. W. 1982. A simple procedure for rapid transmethylation of glicerolipids and colesterol ester. Journal of Lipid Research, 23:1072. 

6. Palmquist, D. L. 1993. Feed and animal factors influencing milk fat composition. Journal Dairy Science, 76:1753-1771. 


566 


Main morphological defects in 

Mediterranean Italian buffalo 

Coletta A. 1 , Amante L. 1 , Fezza C. 2 , Neri M. 1 , Caso C. 1 

1 ANASB, Via Cesare Battisti, Caserta, Italy 2 Dottore in Scienze e Tecnologie delle Produzioni Animali ed Esperto di Razza Bufala 

Mediterranea Italiana Corresponding author: C. Caso. ANASB, Associazione Nazionale Allevatori della Specie Bufalina, Via C. 

Battisti, 68, 81100 Caserta, Italy. Email: espertidirazza@anasb.it 

Abstract 

From the end of the 2004, the morphological evaluation system of the Italian Mediterranean Buffalo population have 

been changed from a subjective assessment of animal’s strengths and weaknesses, to a linear evaluation system. This new 

system take into account animal morphological defects to assess the real impact of those defects on the buffalo population 

for selection purposes. In fact, the new form for recording the scores of the linear evaluation system, contains a 

blank for reporting various defects. The linear system is an objective method of assessment that allows to picture the 

animal indicating and quantifying the degree of biologic measures. The main purpose of this study was to identify the 

frequency of each alteration or obvious morphological defect of the animal. It was studied the incidence of each defect 

on the buffalo population. Moreover, any other possible defect, that may influence negatively the morphology of the 

animal, was also analyzed. 

INTRODUCTION 

Key words: morphology, morphological defects 

From its introduction in Italy, buffalo have had significant morphological changes, which are the result of farm management 

changes and selective pressure improvement. Those changes are responsible for the buffalo breed evolution. In fact, 

at the beginning of its introduction, buffalo were animals with three attitudes (milk, meat and draft), but through their 

good milk yield, along with geographical, social and economic changes in our country, buffalo expressed their productive 

potential, and became dairy animals. Upon to few decades ago, morphological defects were common in the buffalo 

species. It was because farmers did not consider important aspects of animal nutrition and wellness. Whereas, in the last 

few years, farmers put more attention on buffalo’s morphological selection. From 1980 to 2004, the Italian Mediterranean 

buffalo breed has been morphologically evaluated more as a dairy animal. At first, buffalo were evaluated by a subjective 

criterion that did not referred to a defined biological value. In the last few years, because of the economic importance 

of buffalo species, a more objective method of observation in the morphological evaluation became necessary to ensure 

the scientific assessment of the animal structure and, in the same time, to correct important morphological defects. 

Defects often cause early culling of cows (also if very good cows) from the herds. In the 2005, after a transaction period, 

the “linear” type evaluation has been adopted by the Italian Buffalo Breeders Association, to describe the animal by its 

morphological measures. This is the best method to use for scientific and selective purposes. 



RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS 


Linear type evaluation of 29,051 buffalo registered in the Italian Buffalo Breeders Association Herd Book, from 2005 to 

2009 distributed over the years as shown in Figure 1, were analyzed. The average age of buffalo in the analysis was 

between 4,5 and 5,5 years. The incidence of different defects (Table 1) was evaluated. 

By recording in a more efficient way the morphological and structural defects of buffalo, it has been possible to calculate 

the frequency of individual defects. The larger frequency was for the high sacrum (code 27) and white patches (code 15) 

(Figure 2) defects. In conclusion, recording buffalo defects will facilitate the selection of those morphological features 

that ensure a better milkability (udder defects) and improve resistance against harmful factors (ex: cement, the major 

component of the paddock) (limbs’ defects). Finding new defects, not already coded in the linear type evaluation 

system, may lead to some changes to the existing table of defects. 

Table 1: List of defects in use and their corresponding codes 

REFERENCES 

1. Balasini D. 1991. Zoognostica per la conoscenza, la valutazione e la scelta degli animali. Ed agricole. 

2. De Rosa C., Peretti V., Di Palo R., Coletta A., Amante L., Campanile G., Zicarelli L. 2003. “Evoluzione morfologica della bufala allevata in Italia 

”. 2° Congresso Nazionale sull’allevamento del Bufalo Monterotondo - Roma 28-30 agosto. 


568 


Figure 1: Buffalo evaluated in different years and buffalo without defects 

Total buffalo evaluated in a year and Buffalo without defects 

Figure 2: Frequency of defects in the evaluated buffalo 


SUMMARY 


Manufacturing of buffalo milk pudding 

with different Levels of egg 

Khan, M. A. S.; Sarker, N. H.; Hassan, M. N. and Masum A. K. M. 

Department of Dairy Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, 

Bangladesh. Tel.: +880-91-61138; Fax: +880-91-61510; Email: maskhands@gmail.com 

Pudding is one of the most important milk products. In this experiment an attempt was made to determine the optimum 

level of egg in the manufacture of buffalo milk pudding. Pudding was prepared with different levels of egg (20, 30 and 

40 per cent by weight) and a constant level of corn flour (4%). So, three types of pudding samples (A, B and C) were 

prepared. From the results of physical study, it was found that pudding containing 40% egg obtained the best score 

(97.50±3.77) followed by others. The differences within the overall score with different levels of egg had significant 

effect (p

570 


buffalo milk can be a product of high value. Higher contents of fat, protein, total solids and utilizable energy per 

unit volume give buffalo milk a rich flavour and added value, hence utility differs from cow’s milk. Pudding is widely 

accepted by people in our country. If it is prepared maintaining proper hygienic conditions and compositional 

standards, this milk product could be an excellent supplementary food item in our diet. So, as a rich source of milk fat 

and protein, pudding may play a very important role to alleviate the protein-caloric malnutrition in our country. 

From the above discussion, it is clear that pudding is very important food item. But unfortunately there was a very 

limited research work performs on pudding in our country. In the aspect of Bangladesh extensive research work is 

essential to evaluate the feasibility of using different egg levels for manufacturing pudding. For this reason, the 

present research work was undertaken to manufacture acceptable quality of pudding from buffalo milk with the 

addition of different levels of egg. 


Site and duration of experiment: 

The present study was carried out at the Dairy Technology and Microbiology Laboratory of the Department of Dairy 

Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh. The duration of the experiment was of one month. 

Collection of raw materials: 

Buffalo milk was collected from Senbari at Trisal Upazila under Mymensingh Distract. Chicken eggs, corn flour and sugar 

were collected from the Kamal Ranjit Market, BAU, Mymensingh. 

Chemical analysis of ingredients: 

Before preparation of various types of puddings whole milk, eggs and corn flour used in this study were analyzed in the 

laboratory to monitor the quality. 

The specific gravity test of buffalo milk was performed by using Quevenne lactometer, according to the method described 

by Aggarwala and Sharma (1961). The total solids and moisture contents of milk and different types of samples were 

determined by oven drying method according to Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) (2003). Fat per cent 

of milk was determined by Babcock method using the procedure described by Aggarwala and Sharma (1961) and fat per 

cent (%) of different pudding samples were determined by Ether Extraction method according to AOAC (2003). Protein 

was determined by Kjeldahl procedure according to AOAC (2003). Ash content of milk and pudding samples was determined 

by burning with muffle furnace according to AOAC (2003). Carbohydrate was determined by the calculation 

method. Acidity was determined by titrating with N/10 sodium hydroxide solution using the procedure of Aggarwala and 

Sharma (1961). pH was measured with the help of pH meter-215 (Ciba Corning Diagnostic Ltd. Sudhury, Suffolk, England 

Co 106 XD). 

Preparation of different types of pudding samples: 

The sugar and corn flour were mixed into the whole milk and then stirred thoroughly with the help of spoon. After proper 

mixing different levels of eggs (20%, 30% and 40% by weight) was added to it followed by blending. The mix was then 

taken in the mould and covered properly. The mould was placed in the heating pan half-full of water and kept for 1-1.5 

hours until the mix coagulated. The pudding was then prepared. After optimum cooling at room temperature, the mould 

was placed in the refrigerator for about 2 hours for cooling and the pudding was ready to serve. Here 4% corn flour is 

taken constant according to the study of Shamima Sultana (2007). As a result the following three samples were prepared: 

Sample A: 400 milliliter (ml) whole milk + 100 gram (g) egg + 20 g corn flour + 75 g sugar 

Sample B: 350 ml whole milk + 150 g egg + 20 g corn flour + 75 g sugar 

Sample C: 300 ml whole milk + 200 g egg + 20 g corn flour + 75 g sugar 



Organoleptic, chemical and microbiological tests were done immediately after preparation of pudding. Total viable count 

and Coliform count of pudding samples were determined as per methods described in Standard Methods for the Examination 

of Dairy Products according to American Public Health Association (1998). 

Data analysis: 

Data obtained from different parameters were analyzed statistically designed in CRD (Completely Randomized Design) 

using the MSTAT statistical package programme. To find out the statistical difference between different treatments. 

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test was done. To show the relationship between mean values, the Least Significant Difference 

(LSD) test was done (Gomez and Gomez, 1984). 


The chemical parameters content of our experimental buffalo milk, eggs and corn flour samples were within the normal 

range of composition. Hence, it could be mentioned that the quality of supplied milk, eggs and corn flour samples 

collected were good. The physical, chemical and microbial properties of the pudding prepared in the laboratory were 

evaluated to monitor the quality of pudding. Pudding samples were served to a panel of judges for assessing the physical 

parameter i.e. physical evaluation with the help of a score card. The panel lists were selected from the teachers of the 

Department of Dairy Science. 

Table-1: Average score of various physical characteristics of different types of pudding containing different levels 

of egg 

Table-2: Average chemical composition of different types of pudding samples prepared with different levels 

of egg 


572 


Table-3: Average microbial composition of different types of pudding samples prepared with different egg levels 

From the present study it was clear that, 40% egg is suitable for the manufacture of buffalo milk pudding in the point of 

physical properties and also more nutritious in the point of chemical parameters. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

The author acknowledged gratefully to the Ministry of Science, Information and Communication Technology, Government 

Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh for financial help to conduct the research. Active help from the Faculty Members and 

Staff of the Dairy Science Department is also acknowledged. 

REFERENCES 

1. Aggarwala, A. C. and Sharma, R. M. 1961. A laboratory manual of milk Inspection. 4th edition, Asia Publishing House, Bombay, Calcutta, 

New Delhi, India. 

2. Aneja, R. P. 1990. Processing and distribution of buffalo milk. Proceeding of the XXII International Dairy Congress, Montreal 

(Vol. 1) pp. 383-396. 

3. AOAC. 2003. Official Methods of Analysis (17th Ed.). Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Washington. D.C., USA. 

4. APHA (American Public Health Association). 1998. Standard Method for the Examination of Dairy Products. 20th Edition. Washington D. C. 

5. Gomez, A. K. and Gomez, A. A. 1984. Statistical procedures for agricultural research. Second edition. Jhon Willey and Sons, New York. pp. 95-109. 

6. McDowell, R. E., Wilk, J. C., Balain, D. S. and Metry, G. H. 1995. Potential of commercial dairying with buffalo. Mimeograph, North Carolina State 

University, USA. 

7. Mudgal, V. D. 1989. The role of riverine buffaloes in small farm system in India. Proc. Int. Symp. Buffalo Genotypes for Small Farms in Asia. 

Univ. Pertanian Malaysia, pp. 1-19. 

8. Shamima Sultana. 2007. Milk pudding manufacture with different level of corn flour and egg. M. S. Thesis. Department of Dairy Science, 

Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. 



Milk flow curve and teat anatomy in 

mediterranean italian buffalo cows 

Boselli, C. 1 ; M. Mazzi, M. 2 ; A. Borghese, A. 2 ; G.M. Terzano, G.M. 2 ; G. Giangolini G. 1 ; Filippetti, F. 1 ; 

Amatiste, S. 1 ; Rosati, R. 1 

1 Direzione Operativa Controllo Igiene Produzione e Trasformazione del Latte. Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Lazio e 

Toscana. Roma, Italy 2 .Animal Production Research Centre. (CRA) Consiglio per la Ricerca e la Sperimentazione in Agricoltura, 

Monterotondo, Italy. E-mail: carlo.boselli@izslt.it 

Abstract 

Many studies reported the relations among teat characteristics and milk ejection, in cow sheep and goat, but few 

knowlegments are reported in buffalo. Teat length, teat diameter, teat wall thickness, teat cisternal diameter and teat 

canal length were measured before morning milking by ultrasound at start of the trial. Milk yield and milk flow parameters 

were measured in 16 Italian Mediterranean Buffalo cows (parity 3.1±0.4) in mid lactation. 160 milk flow curve (udder 

level) were recorded in morning (80) and evening (80) milking in five different days in milk (DIM: 125, 139, 153, 166, 

180) utilizing a portable milkmeter Lactocorder (WMB AG Balgach). The results are presented as means±standard error of 

mean, using t-test to compare mean results. Statistical analysis showed that the teat length, teat diameter and teat 

cistern was significant higher in rear than in front quarters. The mean value of teat canal length (front and rear) was 

2.71±0.10 cm; it was higher those in cattle. The milk flow curve showed the predominance of increasing phase 1.89±0.18 

min.; decreasing phase was 1.77±0.11 min. and plateau phase was 1.55±0.12 min. The measure of teat anatomy was 

compared for each buffalo cow with milkability at udder level. The results showed significant Pearson correlations among 

teat canal length and principal milk flow parameters: maximum flow (r=-0.27; P

574 


is not an automatic cluster detachment device. Milk ejection is influenced by anatomical 13 , physiological 13 , environmental 

factors and health status 4 . 

Buffalo species is characterized by low cisternal fraction and long teat and teat canal length, if compared to cow and 

small ruminant. It is very well studied 14 and known, that in dairy cow, about 20% of milk is stored in the cisternal 

compartment and it is immediately available for milking, in goat 6 and ewe 6 the cisternal fraction amounts to more than 

50%, on the contrary in buffalo species the cisternal fraction is very small, ranged between 5% - 8% of the total milk 1,13 . 

In Murrah buffaloes 16 has been calculated a mean teat length as 5.8-6.8 cm for front teats and 6.9-7.8 cm for behind 

teats. Thomas 13 reported values from 5 to 14 cm for front teats and from 8 to 16 cm for behind teats, with teat canal 

length about 3.1 cm in the hind than fore quarters. Buffalo species are reported to be difficult to be machine milked 

compared to cows. An explanation could be due to the longer teat canal, if compared to cows 14 which have been 

measured by an established ultrasound method 1,6,11 . In Mediterranean Italian buffalo 1 teat length is 7.45±0.44 and 

7.53±0.76 in hind and fore teat respectively. Therefore a large variability among different river breeds was found, 

according to the genetic differences and to the milking system (manual or mechanical) 13 . In this study we investigate 

the influence of the teat anatomy (with particular regard to teat canal length) on milkability (milk flow curve). The aim 

of this study was to demonstrate possible relationships between milk flow parameters and teat anatomy. 


Sixteen Mediterranean Italian buffalo cows, from the Tormancina Farm (Animal Production Research Centre of CRA) in 

Monterotondo, Italy. were used for this experiment. They were characterized by Parity 3.1±0.4, days in milk (DIM) 

126±17, clinical health. Each buffalo cow was recorded every one months, in morning and evening milking. Buffalo cows 

were milked at 08:30 AM and 19:00 PM in a Herringbone parlour (8+8), the milking vacuum was set at 42 kPa, pulsation 

rate was 60 cycles/min, with a pulsation ratio of 60:40. Milking clusters detachment were excluded and the stripping 

phase was normally performed. Milk yield and milk flow parameters were described in Lactocorder ® (WMB AG Balgach) 

manual instructions of this device. Oxytocin administration was useful (20 I.U. - i.m.) for each buffalo cows about two 

minutes of attachment milking cluster. 160 (80 morning, 80 evening) milk flow curve were recorded during the trial. Teat 

length, teat diameter, teat wall thickness, cisternal diameter (4.0 cm above the teat tip) and teat canal length were 

evaluated before first day of experiment at morning milking at start of the trial. Teat length of the front and rear quarter 

from each buffalo cow were measured by using a ruler. Teat diameter, teat wall thickness, cisternal diameter, and teat canal 

length (figure 1) were evaluated using longitudinal cross section b-mode ultrasound images (Aloka SSD-500, Aloka CO. 

Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). The images were recorded with a 7.5 MHz-linear probe (see figure 1). The analyzed teats were merged 

in a cup of hand-warm water. The ultrasound probe was closed to the outside of the cup. Between the probe an the cup 

was applied ultrasound gel. The statistical analysis were carried on by MedCalc ® V 9.3.0.0, results are presented as 

means ± standard error of mean, using t test to compare mean results (levels were considered significant when P=0.05). 


The teat anatomy measurements are shown in table 1. Teat length, cisternal diameter and the teat diameter are significantly 

higher in rear than in front quarters. The average length of the teats is greater than that reported by Ole Lind 16 , 

which indicates the Murrah breed for front teats are, on average, 5.8 cm to 6.4 cm for the hind teats are 6.9 cm to 7.8 

cm. In an other study, Thomas 13 found very higher teat length (from 9.02 cm in front to 11.80 cm in rear teats). 

Differences in teat and cisternal diameter between front and rear teats were also significant (P


Figure 1. Utrasound cross section of fore teat (Mediterranean Italian buffalo cow). 

Table 1. Measurements of teat anatomy. 

*, **, ***, different level of significance P< 0.05, P< 0.01, P < 0.001 respectively. 

Milk flow curves and milk yield, are presented in table 2. All measures showed higher values in the morning milking, 

except for the duration of the IP (1.77 ± 0.22 min vs 2.01 ± 0.29 min; P= 0.51) and the PP (1.51 ± 0.17 min vs 1.59 ± 

0.17 min; P= 0.92). 

Milk yield, maximum flow and average flow showed significant differences (table 2) between morning and evening 

milking, with values of 4.00 ± 0.23 kg vs 3.15 ± 0.17 kg/min (P

Table 2. Milk Yield and milk flow parameters. 

576 


*, **, ***, different level of significance P< 0.05, P< 0.01, P < 0.001. 

Pearson’s coefficients of correlation between teat anatomy and milk flow curves are presented in table 3. 

Table 3. Pearson’s coefficients of correlation between teat anatomy, and milk flow parameters. 

*, **, ***, different level of significance P< 0.05, P< 0.01, P < 0.001. 

Figure 2. Milk flow curve in buffalo with short teat canal length (overall mean 2.14 cm) and similar distribution of 

milk in the quarters. 



Figure 3. Milk flow curve in buffalo with short teat canal length (overall mean 1.91 cm) and higher maximum flow 

and average flow. 

Figure 4. Milk flow curve in buffalo with high teat canal length (overall mean 3.91 cm), and different distribution 

of milk in quarters. 

Milk yield in principal milking, maximum flow and average milk flow are negatively correlated with teat diameter and teat 

wall. Maximum flow, average milk flow and PP were negatively correlated to the length of the “teat canal”, while DP is 

negatively correlated to the “teat diameter” and positively to the “teat wall”. 

Unexpectedly, teat length is not significantly correlated with the main parameters of the milk flow curve, probably for the 

high variability. Under Oxytocin administration, alveolar milk ejection flow trough cisternal cavity finds his limits in low 

cisternal cavity volume itself 13 . 

In fact the whole alveolar milk cannot be removed, if a contemporary cisternal milk removal has not been effected. Further 

limitations in milk ejection finds hits limits in teat anatomy and particularly in teat canal length, which is negatively 


REFERENCES 

578 


correlated with maximum and average flow at mammary level. 

Milkability in Mediterranean Italian buffalo species is characterized by long IP than DP and PP. Anyway we observed a 

long duration of DP, in contrast to bovine species, this longer time could be explained with different distribution of milk 

in quarters, low storage capacity of mammary cistern, and the high teat canal length. 

In our study that was characterized by administration of exogenous oxytocin, it was evidenced the greater influence of 

the teat canal length in milk ejection. This point is important because the teat canal undergoes considerable elongation, 

with the increasing time of milking, Thomas 13 reported increase teat elongation range between 10-13%. 

It is necessary to compare teat anatomy and milkability differences in all the buffalo different breeds reared in the world, 

because the reported results are related to Mediterranean Italian breed, which was selected during the last 50 years for 

the character of mechanical milkability. Finally it could be interesting to apply a heritability programme on milkability 

traits as that effected on Brown breed (milking speed index) 15 . 

1. Ambord, S. Thomas, C S. Borghese, A. Mazzi, C. Boselli, C. Bruckmaier 2009. Teat anatomy, vacuum to open the teat canal, and fractionized milk 

composition in Italian buffaloes. Milk Science International: vol. 64, no 4, 351-353. 

2. Bava, L., Sandrucci, A., Tamburini, A., Zucali, M., 2007. Milk flow traits of buffalo cows in intensive farming systems. Ital.J.Anim.Sci. 6 (Suppl. 

1): 500-502. 

3. Boselli C., Giangolini G., Filippetti F., Giacinti G., Amatiste S. 2009. Milk flow traits during lactation in Saanen goats raised in Latium region. 

XVII Intenational Congress of Mediterranean Federation of Health and Production of Ruminant, Perugia – Italy. 

4. Boselli, C., Rosati, R., Giangolini, G., Arcuri, S., Fagiolo, A., Ballico, S., Borghese, A., 2004. Milk flow measurements in buffalo herds. Proc. of 

the 7th World Buffalo Congr., Manila, Philippines: 244-246. 

5. Boselli, C., Mazzi, M., Thomas, C.S., Borghese, A., 2008. Milkability of Buffalo (milk flow curves). Borghese A, Rasmussen, MD & Thomas, CS ed. 

Bull. Int. Dairy Federation, 426: 37-41. 

6. Bruckmaier, R. M., and J. W. Blum. 1992. B-Mode ultrasonography of mammary glands of cows, goats and sheep during alpha- and betaadrenergic 

agonist and oxytocin administration. J. Dairy Res. 59:151–159 

7.Bruckmaier, R. M., E. Rothenanger, and J. M. Blum. 1995. Milking characteristics in dairy cows of different farms and during the course of 

lactation. J. Anim. Breed. Genet. 112:293–302. 

8. Di Palo, R., Campanile, G., Ariota, B., Vecchio, D., Grassi, C., Neri, D., Varricchio, E., Rendina, M., 2007. Milk flow traits in Mediterranean Italian 

Buffaloes. Ital.J.Anim.Sci., 6 (Suppl. 2): 1319-1322. 

9. Dzidic A., Kaps M., Bruckmaier R.M. 2004. Machine milking of Istrian dairy crossbreed ewes: udder morphology and milking characteristics, Small 

Ruminant Research, 55 (1-3): 183-189. 

10. Dzidic A., Knopf L., Bruckmaier R.M. 2002. Oxytocin release and milk removal in machine-milked mares. Milchwissenschaft. 57(8): 423-424. 

11. Sandrucci, A., Tamburini, A., Bava, L., Zucali, M., 2007. Factors Affecting Milk Flow Traits in Dairy Cows: Results of a Field Study. J. Dairy Sci., 

90: 1159-1167. 

12. Tancin, V., Ipema, B., Hogewerf, P., Macuhovà, J., 2006. Sources of variation in milk flow characteristics at udder and quarter levels. J. Dairy 

Sci., 89: 978-988. 

13. Thomas CS, Svennersten-Sjaunja K, Bhosrekar MR, Bruckmaier RM. 2003. Mammary cisternal size, cisternal milk and milk ejection in Murrah 

buffaloes. Journal Dairy Research, 71: 162-168. 

14. Weiss D., Weinfurtner M.and Bruckmaier R. M., 2004. Teat Anatomy and its Relationship with Quarter and Udder Milk Flow Characteristics in 

Dairy Cows. J. Dairy Sci. 87:3280-3289. 

15. http:/www.anarb.it/indici_genetici 

16. http:/www.milkproduction.com 



Polynomial functions to describe the temporal 

behavior of constituents of buffalo milk, 

in northeast of Brazil 

Abstracts 

Severino Benone Paes Barbosa 1 , Ângela Maria Vieira Batista 1 , Kleber Régis Santoro 3 

, 

Raquel Bezerra Jatobá 2 , Maria José de Araújo Silva 2 

1 Professores Associados do Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE). 

Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, S/N, Recife, PE. 2 Zootecnistas, Técnicas do Laboratório de Leite (PROGENE), UFRPE. 

3 Professor Adjunto, UAG-UFRPE. E-mail: sbarbosa@dz.ufrpe.br 

Data from composition of milk from 301 buffaloes served as sample for this study, with a total of 2833 observations over 

a period of 18 months (May 2008 to September 2009). The animals were from a commercial herd, milked mechanically, and 

located in a region with harsh climate, northeast of Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate how the time data 

were collected (month, year) affected the components of milk, describing the influence of environmental factors. Concentrations 

of fat (F), lactose (L), protein (P), solid (S), somatic cell count (SCC) and somatic cell score (SCS) were 

measured. A polynomial linear regression model was use as variable for time. The variable SCS was also analyzed by means 

of covariance functions (VC, CS, HCS, AR (1), ARH (1)), to interpret the relationship between the different observations. 

The best polynomial models for the variables were: S – linear, F - quadratic, L, SCC and SCS - cubic; P - grade four. The 

conclusion is that variations found are consistent with expectations for the region, based on nutrition and pasture (F, 

L, P) and the influence of climate on the occurrence of subclinical mastitis (SCS and SCC). The covariance function with 

the worst shape was the VC (variance components) and the one with best shape was the HCS (heterogeneous compound 

symmetry), showing that there is a correlation between the different measures, and that the relationship between them 

tends to shrink as the time interval between the different measures grows. The influence of environmental factors on milk 

composition suggests the search for alternatives to minimize their impact on milk composition and health of buffaloes, 

with particular attention to the rainy season when there is an increase on the content of somatic cells. 

INTRODUCTION 

Key words: heterogeneous compound symmetry, milk composition, SCC, SCS 

Buffaloes have the potential for high milk production, hardiness, resistance to ectoparasites, lower frequency of mastitis, 

may be raised in areas which are unsuitable for cattle and require a lower cost of production 1 . According to IBGE 2 , the 

Northern Region holds the largest national herd with 541,674 animals (64.49%), followed by the South (12.79%), 

Southeast (9.12%), Northeast (9.09%, with 76,348 head) and Midwest (4.51%). There are many factors that can interfere 

with milk constituents and their quality, such as feeding, handling, environmental factors, climate, genetics 3,4 . The 

objective of this study was to evaluate how the time data were collected (month and year) affected the components of 

milk, describing the influence of environmental factors. 


MATERIAL AND METHOD 

580 


Data from composition of milk from 301 buffaloes served as sample for this study, with a total of 2,833 observations over 

a period of 18 months (May/2008 to October/2009). The animals were from a commercial herd, milked mechanically, and 

located in a region with harsh climate, northeast of Brazil. Concentrations of fat (F), lactose (L), protein (P), solid (S), 

somatic cell count (SCC) and somatic cell score (SCS) were measured. A polynomial linear regression model was used as 

variable for time, with its degree determined by the model with all significant regression coefficients: 

Where is the observed value for the variable at the moment i, is the intercept and are the regression 

coefficients for the variable year-month, is the random error associated with it. The variable SCS was also analyzed by 

means of covariance functions (Variance Component - VC, Compound Symmetry - CS, Heterogeneous Compound Symmetry 

- CSH, Autoregressive - AR (1), Heterogeneous Autoregressive - ARH(1), Huiyn-Feldt - HF, Toeplitz - TOEP, Heterogeneous 

Toeplitz - TOEPH), to interpret the relationship between the different observations: 

Where is the value observed for somatic cell scores at time i, is the intercept and is the regression coefficient for 

the variable year-month, is the random error associated with each observation being considered associated with the 

different observations through the functions covariance. 


The best polynomial models for the variables were: S – linear, F - quadratic, L, SCC and SCS - cubic; P - grade four 

(Table 1). The conclusion is that variations found are consistent with expectations for the region, based on 

nutrition and pasture (F, L, P) and the influence of climate on the occurrence of subclinical mastitis (SCS and SCC). 

Table 1 – Estimates of the parameters of the regression equations for the concentrations of the components 

*All the parameters were significant at 1% (P < 0.01) 



The covariance function with the worst shape, by BIC criteria, was the VC (variance components) and the one with best 

shape was the CSH (heterogeneous compound symmetry), showing that there is a correlation between the different 

measures, and that the relationship between them tends to shrink as the time interval between the different measures 

grows (Table 2). The influence of environmental factors on milk composition suggests the search for alternatives to 

minimize their impact on milk composition and health of buffaloes, with particular attention to the rainy season when 

there is an increase on the content of somatic cells. 

Table 2 – Adjustment for the various covariance functions for somatic cell score 

REFERENCES 

1. Amaral FR, Escrivão SC. 2005. Aspectos relacionados à búfala leiteira. Rev Bras Reprod Anim. 29:111-117. 

2. IBGE – Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Censo Agropecuário 2006. Homepage: http://www.ibge.gov.br Acess on: 25/11/2009. 

3. Magalhães JA, Townsend CR, Costa NL, Pereira RGA. 2007. Eficiência reprodutiva de búfalos. EMBRAPA Rondônia, Porto Velho. Comunicado 

Técnico 

4. Magalhães JA, Townsend CR, Costa NL, Pereira, RGA. Determinação da tolerância de bovinos e bubalinos ao calor do trópico úmido. 

Homepage: http://www.scribd.com/doc/14118807/Bioclimatologia-de-Bovinos-e-Bubalinos. Access on: 15/09/2009. 


582 


Preliminary study on buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) 

milk production in Southern Brazil* 1 

Damé, M.C.F. 1 ; Lima, C.T.S. de 1 ; Marcondes, C.R. 2 ; Ribeiro, M.E.R. 1 ; Garnero, A.D.V. 3 

1 Embrapa Clima Temperado, Box 403, CEP: 96.001-970, Pelotas, RS, Brasil. 

2 Embrapa Amazônia Oriental, Belém, PA, Brasil. 3 Universidade Federal do Pampa, Campus de São Gabriel, São Gabriel, RS, 

Brasil. E-mail: cecilia@cpact.embrapa.br 

Abstract 

Buffalo economic exploitation for milk production is a new fact in the southernmost Brazilian region. The production 

chain structuring of this activity was started in the year 2000, and nowadays dairy products, identified and labeled as 

such, are available in the consumer market. However, the present-day dairy products output corresponds to only 50% of 

market demand. The aim of this paper is to evaluate buffalo milk produced in Rio Grande do Sul state both qualitatively 

and quantitatively as a subsidy for the adoption of a breeding program and the development or adaptation of technologies 

so that this cattle-raising activity has a greater financial appeal. Two properties are currently under evaluation, 

each of them holding approximately 70 lactating females from Murrah and Mediterranean breeds. The feeding system used 

is pasture, with supplement in wintertime. Total milk production of each female is measured every 28 days, and individual 

milk samples are collected for chemical analysis and somatic cell count (SCC). Data collection started in February 2009, as 

far as October 2009, 900 samples had already been collected. The mean milk production per animal was 7,01±1,13 kg for 

the Murrah breed and 3,24±0,61 kg for the Mediterranean. Quality traits were 4,45±0,24 and 3,73±0,41% (fat); 3,83±0,26 

and 3,82±0,49% (proteins); 5,04±0,08 and 5,20±0,16% (lactose); 14,47±0,46 and 13,85±0,81% (total solids) and SCC 

mean value was 112,765±75,269 and 50,222±24,952 cell/ml for the Murrah and Mediterranean breeds, respectively. 

These quantity and quality differences can be attributed to the feeding system, management and individual variations, 

in addition to animal breed. Preliminary data have shown that a genetic improvement program and the development or 

adaptation of technologies from different areas of knowledge is vital to obtain higher productivity so that this can be 

a viable activity in this region. 

Key words: chemical composition; quality; production systems. 

INTRODUCTION 

The economic exploration of buffaloes is a quite recent activity in Southern Brazil. From the year 2000 onwards, with the 

establishment of “Cooperbúfalo” (Sulriograndense Cooperative of Buffalo Raisers), the structure of the productive chain 

was started in this area; nowadays, dairy products, mainly cheese – identified and valued as 

such – are available in the market. 

Buffalo milk present an important role in providing high quality dairy products, especially mozzarella cheese, which is 

sells for a price up to four times as high as that of its bovine counterpart at present. The buffalo milk is more concentrated, 

and has a higher fat, protein and mineral content, exceeding bovine milk yield in over 40 % 9 . 

The aim of this study is to evaluate the production and quality of milk from buffaloes raised in Rio Grande do Sul State 

as a subsidy towards the introduction of a genetic improvement program, as well as the development and/or adaptation 

of technologies which can turn it into a more attractive ranching activity. 




Two farms located in Eastern Rio Grande do Sul are evaluated, each holding approximately 70 lactating female buffaloes; 

farm 1 raising Mediterranean breed animals and farm 2, Murrah breed ones. The feeding system in use is pasture with food 

supplementation. On farm 1, the animals graze native pasture through a rational rotational grazing system, which 

includes a winter supplementation of chopped grass elephant (Cameron variety) and cassava in the trough. On farm 2, the 

animals are given sorghum silage in full year, and both winter (oat plus Italian rye grass) and summer (Tifton 85 grass plus 

millet) cultivated pasture. 

The collection of data began in February 2009 being collected over 900 samples until October 2009. The milking is 

mechanized, and daily individual production is measured every 28 days. Individual milk samples are also collected for 

chemical composition analysis (fat, protein, lactose and total solids) by means of an infrared ray absorption reading in 

a Bentley 2000® analyzer, and the somatic cell count is performed by flow cytometry in the Somacount 300® equipment 

at the milk quality analysis laboratory of Embrapa Clima Temperado (Embrapa Temperate Climate Center). The data are 

checked by variance analysis (ANOVA) and the mean differences calculated by the Tukey test at a 5% probability rate 

through the STATISTIX 8.0 software10 . 


The mean daily milk production per animal, its chemical composition, and the somatic cell count are expressed on a 

monthly basis for each farm in Table 1. The data are descriptive, thus not corrected as to age effect, stage or lactating 

days. 

Table 1: Mean milk production per animal (Production), chemical composition (Chemical comp.), and somatic cell 

count (SSC) per farm per month. 

Means in small letters on the lines: differences among the months of the year for each farm; means in capital letters on the 

columns: differences between the two farms 

Generally speaking, the results obtained show a downward tendency by the end of autumn and in winter. This value fall 

can be attributed to a decrease in forage availability. 

As to chemical composition, the mean data obtained are lower than those found in other areas of the country. In the 

state of Pernambuco, chemical characteristics mean percentages were: 6,99 % (fat); 4,01 % (protein); 4,72 % (lactose); 

16,85 % (total solids), and an SCC mean value of 269,590 cells/ml. The mean daily milk production was 4,78 kg/day per 

animal 7 . 

* 1 Connected to MP2 Embrapa Project – 02.07.07.009.00.03 


REFERENCES 

584 


Similar results were obtained in the state of São Paulo. The fat, protein, lactose and total solids mean percentages were 

6,83 % and 6,59 %; 4,20 % and 4,13 %; 5,02 %; 17,23 % and 17,01 %, respectively 3,8 . The somatic cell count mean value 

was 137,000 cells/ml for Murrah and Mediterranean breed female buffaloes 3 . The mean milk production was 4,52 kg/day 

for Mediterranean breed animals 8 . 

Similar data those obtained in this study were also found In Rio Grande do Sul. The mean daily milk production was 4,0 

kg for Murrah buffaloes in their first lactating period. Fat and total solids mean percentages were 5,48 % and 14,24 %, 

respectively. The animals were kept on natural pasture with grazing in cultivated pasture of the winter (oat and rye grass) 

for two hours every day 4 . Another piece of research reports an even lower mean fat percentage (4,56 %) 6 . 

Milk components (fat, protein, lactose and total solids) can vary according to nutrition, season the year, as well as animal 

effect, such as age, breed and lactating stage 1 . 

The somatic cell count over 200,000 cells/ml can be an indicator of mastitis where values lower than 100,000 cells/ml 

may mean healthy mammary quarters5 . The mean values obtained from farm 1 (43,000 cells/ml) are within those for 

healthy animals (without mastitis); on farm 2, however, there were periods (July and September) when the animals 

presented mastitis problems (the mean count over 200,000 cells/ml). 

The low somatic cell count for female buffaloes can be attributed to a higher resistance of the species to mastitis. This 

resistance can be related to anatomic features of the udder and teats, mammary gland immunology and milk composition2 

. 

CONCLUSIONS 

The difference in milk production and quality can be attributed, in addition to breed, to the feeding system, 

management and individual variations. 

The preliminary data evidence that a genetic improvement program together with the development and/or adaptation of 

technologies in different areas of knowledge are indispensable in order to reach a level of productivity that can make this 

activity viable in this region. 

1.Amaral FR, Carvalho LB, Silva N, Brito, JRF. 2005. Qualidade do leite de búfalas: composição. Rev Bras Rep Anim, 29(2) 106-110. 

2.Carvalho G, Amaral FR, Brito MAVP, Lange CC, Brito JRF, Leite RC. 2007. Contagem de células somáticas e isolamento de agentes causadores de 

mastite em búfalos (Bubalus bubalis). Arq Bras Med Vet Zootec 59(1): 242-245. 

3.Coelho KO, Machado PF, Coldebella A, Cassoli LD, Corassin CH. 2004. Determinação do perfil físico-químico de amostras de leite de búfalas, por 

meio de analisadores automáticos. Ciên Anim Bras 5(3): 167-170. 

4.Damé MCF, Silva WP. 2003. Observações preliminares sobre a produção de leite bubalino no Rio Grande do Sul. 2003. Embrapa Clima 

Temperado, Documentos Nº 111, Pelotas, 20p. 

5.Fagiolo A, Lai O. Mastitis in buffalo. 2007. Italian J Anim Sci 6(2): 200-206. 

6.Kalil GRB. 1995. Características tecnológicas do iogurte de leite de soja acrescido de leite de búfala. Tesis Doctoral (MSci), Universidade 

Federal de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, 80p. 

7.Lopes FA. 2009. Caracterização da produtividade e da qualidade do leite de búfalas na Zona da Mata Sul de Pernambuco. Tesis Doctoral 

(MSci), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brasil, 4p.8. 

8. Macedo MP, Wechsler FS, Ramos AA, Amaral JB, Souza JC, Resende FD, Oliveira JV. 2001. Composição físico-química e produção de leite de 

búfalas da raça Mediterrâneo no Oeste do estado de São Paulo. Rev Bras Zoot, 30(3): 1084-1088. 

9. Nascimento CNB, Moura Carvalho LOD. 1993. Criação de búfalos: alimentação, manejo, melhoramento e instalações. EMBRAPA-CPATU, 

Brasília, EMBRAPA-SPI, 403p. 

10. Statistix 8.0. 2003. Anal Software. Statistix 8.0 for windows Ò. 



Presence of Somatic Cells in Murrah Buffaloes 

in Northeast of Brazil 

Paes Barbosa, S.B. 1 Vieira Batista, Â M.; Bezerra Jatobá, R. 2 ; Araújo Silva, M.J. 2 ; Santoro, K.R. 3 

1 Professores Associados do Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE) Rua Dom Manoel de 

Medeiros, S/N, Recife, PE. 2 Zootecnistas, Técnicas do Laboratório de Leite (PROGENE), UFRPE. 3 Professor Adjunto, UAG-UFRPE. 

E-mail: sbarbosa@dz.ufrpe.br; 

Abstract 

Mastitis is a chronic disease and can affect the various species of cattle, including buffaloes, causing great damage to 

the milk production chain. In a way to control mastitis, the somatic cell count (SCC) has been used as a tool for 

management of the dairy herd. This study evaluated the presence of somatic cells in Murrah buffaloes in northeastern 

Brazil, between May/2008 and October/2009. We used information from 3186 SCC. In absence of linearity with the 

production of milk, the SCC was transformed into somatic cell score (SCS), with [log2 (SCC/100) + 3]. The data were 

analyzed by SAS (2008) and the correlations of SCC and SCS with the composition of milk were considered. The means and 

standard deviations of SCC and SCSx10 3 were 584.6 ± 1266.4 x10 3 and 2.57 ± 1.07, respectively. More than half of 

production (56.88%) had values of SCC below 200x10 3 . The correlations of SCC and SCS with the characteristics of the 

composition of milk were all significant, with the exception of SCC and solids. Lactose showed negative associations with 

SCC (- 0.44) and SCS (- 0.49), which is extremely undesirable, since this component is of great importance for the dairy 

industry. The results of SCC suggest the need to implement a control program to reduce sub-clinical mastitis in the herd. 

INTRODUCTION 

Key words: mastitis, Murrah, Northeast Brazil, somatic cell count, somatic cell score. 

Mastitis is a chronic disease and can affect all mammals including buffalo, causing losses for the entire production chain, 

particularly in the production of cheese. This inflammation of the mammary gland can be characterized by increased 

number of somatic cells (SCC) in milk. The SCC is used as a tool for control of udder health, intended to the management 

and selection in herds 10 . In fact, the SCC has been used for diagnosis of mastitis in bubalinos 7,9,11 and it seems likely that 

more than 200,000 cells/mL is indicative of infection of the udder. The European Union Directives (92/46CEE and 94/ 

71CEE) set a limit of 400,000 cells/mL for SCC in raw buffalo milk, when milk is used for products made with raw milk. 

Clinical and sub-clinical mastitis cases in Brazil are in the order of 1.5 and 18.77% respectively. The main goal of this 

study was to evaluate the presence of somatic cells in cattle buffaloes in the Brazilian Northeast and estimate correlations 

between this characteristic and the chemical composition of milk. 



586 


Data for SCC were obtained from lactations of Murrah buffaloes in a total of 3,186 observations from May/2008 to October/ 

2009, a commercial herd milked mechanically twice a day without calf at foot, fed mainly of Brachiaria brizantha and Stylosanthes, 

created in the region of tropical climate in the Northeast of Brazil. Milk samples were collected in the morning and sent to 

the laboratory for milk quality, in sterile plastic bottles with a capacity of 60mL, containing one tablet of preservative (azidiol). 

SCC was determined by flow cytometry (Bentley 2000 ®). The data were statistically analyzed by GLM and CORR 11 programs, and 

the means compared by SNK test. The SCC was transformed into somatic cell score (SCS), with [log2 (SCC/100) + 3] 15 . 


The means and medians of SCC and SCS were 1266.4 ± 584.6x10 3 and 2.57 ± 1.07 and 152.5 and 2.18, respectively. The 

mean SCC was higher than those found in other studies in Brazil 2,5,8 , Pakistan 1,13 and Italy 14 . 

Table 2 shows the relative and accumulate frequencies on the SCC, depending on the ranges of cell counts observed. It is 

important to note that over 50% of the observed data are up to 200x10 3 , from which is indicative of infection in the 

udder of búfalas 7, 9,11 . 

Table 2. Relative and accumulate frequencies on the SCC, according to the range considered 

Estimates of SCC and SCS correlation with constituents of the composition of milk were all significant. The most notable 

are the negative associations between SCC and SCS with lactose (- 0.44 and - 0.49, respectively), which agrees with other 

authors 4, 13 . The variable month/year significantly affected (P < 0.01) SCC and SCS. The months of the year 2008 

provided lower values of SCC and SCS. Presumably, the fact that the buffaloes are older in 2009 may have contributed 

to the increase of somatic cells in the herd. The SCC results suggest the need to implement a control program to reduce 

sub-clinical mastitis in the herd. 


REFERENCES 


1. Akthar MS, Farooq AA, Hussain M, Aziz M. 2008. Effect of estrus on somatic cell count, protein and fat contents in milk of Nli-Ravi buffaloes. 

Pak J Agri Sci 45:339-341. 

2. Amaral FB, Carvalho LB, Brito JRF, Silva N. 2005. Qualidade do leite de búfalas: contagem de células somáticas. Rev Bras Reprod Anim 

29:101-105. 

3. Carvalho LB, Amaral FR, Brito MAVP, Lange CC, Brito JRF, Leite RC. 2007. Contagem de células somáticas e isolamento de agentes causadores de 

mastite em búfalas (Bubalus bubalis). Arq Bras Med Vet Zootec 59:242-245. 

4. Cerón-Muñoz M, Tonhati H, Duarte J, Oliveira J. 2002. Factors affecting somatic cell count and their relations with milk and milk constituent yield 

in buffaloes. J Dairy Sci 85:2885-2889. 

5. Coelho KO, Machado PF, Coldebella A, Cassoli LD, Corassin CH. 2004. Determinação do perfil físico-químico de amostras de leite de búfalas, por 

meio de analisadores automatizados. Ciência Anim Bras 5:167-170. 

6. Costa EO, Watanabe ET, Ribeiro AR, Garino Jr F, Houriti AM, Barusseli PS. 2000. Mastitis bubalina: etiologia, índices de mastitis clínica e suclínica. 

Napgama 1:12-15. 

7. Dhakal IP, Kapur MO, Sharma A. 1992. Significance of diferential somatic cell counts in milk for the diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in buffalos 

using foremilk and stripping milk. Indian J Anim Health 31:39-43. 

8. Jorge AM, Andrighetto C, Strazza MRB, Correa RC, Kasburgo DG, Piccinin A, Victória C, Domingues PF. 2005. Correlação entre o California Mastitis 

Test (CMT) e a contagem de células somáticas (CCS) do leite de búfalas Murrah. R Bras Zootec 34:2039-2045. 

9. Moroni P, Sgoifo Rossi C, Pisoni G, Bronzo V, Castiglioni B, Boettcher PJ. 2006. Relationship between somatic cell count and intramammary 

infection in buffaloes. J Dairy Sci 89:998-1003. 

10. Rodriguez-Zas SL, Gianola D, Shook GE. 2000. Evaluation of models for somatic cell score lactation patterns in Holsteins. Livest Prod Sci 

67:19-30. 

11.Singh M, Ludri RS. 2001. Somatic cell count in Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) during different stages of lactation. Asian-Aust J Anim 

Sci 14:189-192. 

12. SAS Institute Inc. (2002). SAS/Start User’s Guide. Version 6.12, v.2, Cary (NC): SAS Institute Inc. 

13. Sharif A, Ahmed T, Qamar Bilal M, Yousaf A, Muhammad G, Rehman S, Pansota FM. 2007. Estimation of milk lactose and somatic cells for the 

diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in dairy buffaloes. Int J Agri Biol 9:267-270. 

14. Tripaldi C, Terramoccia S, Bartocci S, Angelucci M, Danesi V. 2003. The effects of somatic cell count on yield, composition and 

coagulation properties of Mediterranean buffalo Milk. Asian-Aust J Anim Sci 16:738-742. 

15. Wiggans GR, Shook GE. 1987. A lactation measure of somatic cell count. J Dairy Sci 70:2666–2672. 


Abstract 

588 


Relationship between Somatic Cell Count 

in Milk and Intramammary Infection in 

Egyptian Buffaloes 

Youssef; M. M.; Manal, M.; El- Bramony; Azza M. El-Baz; El-Sherbieny, M. A. 

Animal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt. E-mail: mybaz50@hotmail.com 

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between somatic cell count (SCC) in milk and intramammary infection 

(IMI) in Egyptian buffaloes as well as to assess SCC threshold values for detection of subclinical mastitis. A total number 

of 339 quarter milk samples were collected from 113 milking buffaloes raised in Mehalet Mousa experimental farm belonging 

to Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Egypt. Milk samples were taken (aseptically 

from each quarter) in separate sterile tubes for bacteriological analysis and determination of (SCC) using the fluoro-optoelectronic 

method. Average of log SCC in milk samples from non infected and infected quarters were 4.82±0.09 (66 x 103 

cells/ml) and 4.98±0.08 (96 x103 cells/ml), respectively. Log SCC in milk was significantly (P


quarters. Thus, reducing mastitis incidence is important for economical and animal welfare attitudes. This attempt can 

lead to greater flexibility in breeding programs. 

Mastitis screening tests such as SCC, conductivity test and determination of lactose in milk became essential for monitoring 

herd level of udder health programs. In addition, adoption of pre-calving udder hygiene, disinfectant teat 

dipping, dry off therapy are important procedures to prevent IMI. There is lack of information on SCC threshold between 

healthy and infected udders of Egyptian buffaloes to be used as hazard against IMI. Determination of various SCC 

thresholds depends on bacteriological culture as the standard method for identifying IMI. Therefore, this study aimed to 

investigate the relationship between SCC in milk and IMI in buffaloes as well as to assess SCC threshold values for 

detection of subclinical mastitis. 


A total of 339 quarter milk samples were collected from 113 milking buffaloes raised in Mehalet Mousa experimental farm 

belonging to the Agriculture Research Center, Egypt. Milk samples were collected throughout experimental period which 

lasted one year. In order to identify the effect of season of milking on SCC, the collected data were divided into two 

climatic periods i.e the 1st sampling period (Hot climatic period) from April to September while, the 2nd period (Cold 

climatic period) was from October to March. In order to avoid the effect of stage of lactation on SCC, milk samples were 

collected during the mid-lactation period (60 to 135 days) for each animal. The udder of each buffalo was inspected to 

detect incidence of mastitis, buffaloes defined as clinically infected were excluded from the study. Number of milk 

samples collected from machine milking and hand milking buffaloes were 114 and 225, respectively. 

Diagnostic criteria: 

In the present study, Staph. aureus, Str. agalactiae , Str. uberis , Str. dysgalactiae and Coliform spp. were defined as major 

pathogens whereas, Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CNS), and Corynbcateria spp. were defined as minor pathogens. 

According to Moroni et al. (2006), IMI was defined by either of : 1) Isolation of one colony (?100 cfu/ml) at least of 

major pathogens, 2) Isolation of ?500 cfu/ml of other microorganisms and 1-3 colony types. Milk samples from which > 

3 colony types or < 500 cfu/ml microorganisms were regarded as contaminated or uninfected, respectively. Accordingly, 

the udder status (IMI) was categorized as 1-Non infected, 2-infected by a single major pathogen, 3- infected by a single 

minor pathogen, 4- infected by one major pathogen plus one minor pathogen, 5- infected by one major pathogen plus 

two minor pathogens and 6- infected by two major pathogens plus one minor pathogen. 

Farm management: 

Milking buffaloes were kept restrained under sheds from the morning (7.00 a.m.) till the evening (4.00 p.m.) thereafter 

they were kept loose in the shed during the rest of the day. Part of the experimental buffaloes were milked by hand (HM) 

where others were milked by machine (MM) twice daily at 7.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. throughout the lactation period. 

Milk sampling and analysis: 

Prior to milking, the udder and teat ends were scrubbed with 70% ethanol. About 15 ml of fore milk and 15 ml of 

stripping was taken aseptically from each quarter into separate sterile tubes for bacteriological analysis. All samples were 

kept on ice box (6ºC) and transported to the laboratory until analysis. Somatic cell counts were determined by the fluoroopto-electronic 

method using Fossomatic 5000; Foss Electric apparatus, 3400 Hillerod, (Denmark). Counting of SCC was 

adopted within 24 h. postcollection following the rules of the International Dairy Federation (1984). Original scale SCC 

values were transformed to log arithmetic according to Ali and Shook (1980) to achieve an approximate normal distribution 

of hypothesis testing. Evaluation of SCC and bacteriological examination were conducted according to National 

Mastitis Council standards (NMC, 1999). 


Bacteriological examination: 


Milk bacteriological examination was performed using all quarter milk samples. Detection and enumeration of mastitis 

organisms were performed by serial dilutions of milk samples, isolation and enumeration of pathogens were according to 

standard method (APHA, 1993). The presumptive coliform bacterial count was counted using Macconkey agar media. The 

presumptive Streptococcci groups causing mastitis (Str. agalactiae, Str. dysgalactiae ,Str. uberis) were enumerated on 

modified Edward’s media and blood was added to the media for identification of blood hemolytic bacteria. The presumptive 

Staphylococcus aureus (Staph. aureus) and CNS were counted on Baird Parker agar media with sheep blood for 

appearance of hymolysis. Blood agar (Nutrient agar media plus sheep’s blood) was used for enumeration Bacillus spp. 

Blood agar (Nutrient agar media plus sheep’s blood) with potassium tellurite was used for presumptive Corynebacterium 

species. All plates were incubated at 37ºC and examined after 24 hours, then again at 48 hours; these selective and 

differential media were obtained from Oxiod (Hampshire, England). 

Statistical analysis: 

Statistical analysis was carried out using the MIXED procedure of SAS (1998) Data were analyzed using the following 

model: 

Y ijklmno = ? + SII + Pj + SI*Pij + A (SI*P)ijk + Sl + MTm + Qn + e ijklmno 

where Yij is the dependent variable (log10 SCC), ? is the overall mean, SII is the effect of status of infection (6 

categories of defined IMI), P is the effect of animal`s parity (the 1st – the 6th parity) , SI*P is the interaction between 

status of infection and animal `s parity, S is the effect of season of milking (hot season vs. cold season), MT is the effect 

of milking type (HM vs. MM), Q is the quarter site effect (4 levels) and eijklmno is the random error. 

Thresholds of SCC: 

To determine the validity of SCC for identifying infected quarters, sensitivity and specificity were determined at selected 

thresholds. Sensitivity was calculated as the proportion of culture-positive quarters that had SCC values above the 

selected threshold, and specificity was the proportion of culture-negative quarters that had SCC values below the selected 

threshold (Martin et al. 1987). The threshold values used for validating SCC were 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 x 

103 cells/ml. 


Factor affecting somatic cell count (SCC) in milk: 

Data of the present study indicated that average of log SCC in milk samples from non infected and infected quarters were 

4.82±0.09 (66 x 103 cells/ml) and 4.98±0.08 (96 x103 cells/ml), respectively. These estimates are relatively coincident 

with that obtained by Ceron-Munoz et al. (2002) on Brazilian buffaloes while, it is lower than that obtained by Singh and 

Ludri (2001) on the Indian buffaloes and EL-Bramony (2004), Saleh (2005) and Youssef et al. (2008) working on 

Egyptian buffaloes. As reported by Dhakal (2004), SCC in normal buffalo milk in Srilanka varied from 50,000 to 375,000/ 

ml 

Proceedings 9th Least square means of log SCC in milk samples collected during hot and cold seasons were 4.63± 0.07 and 4.76± 0.07, 

respectively. Least square means of log SCC in milk samples obtained from right front, left front, right rear and left rear 

quarters were 4.68± 0.07, 4.68± 0.07, 4.70 ± 0.07 and 4.71±0.07, respectively. This finding indicates that log SCC was 

slightly higher in the hind quarters than that in the front ones. Schepers et al., (1997) indicated a higher prevalence of 

IMI in the rear quarter of cattle accompanied with higher rate of false negative samples and higher SCC as compared with 

that of the front quarters. Saleh, (2005) found that teat position had insignificant effect on SCC in milk of buffaloes. 

Zadoks et al. (2001) detected a significant higher rate of Staph. aureus in the rear quarters than in front quarters of 

cows. In contrary, Dhakal (2004) found that average SCC in buffalo milk of right front and right rear quarters were 

significantly higher than left front and left rear quarters. 

590 

World Buffalo Congress


The analysis of variance revealed that log SCC in milk was significantly (P

592 


Data shown in Table (2) indicate that quarter milk samples with IMI represented 62.24% of samples whereas, 37.76% of 

samples were non infected. In agreement, Moroni et al (2006) found that in two Italian farms, prevalence of IMI was 63% 

of infected quarters. However, Dhakal (2004) stated that prevalence of subclinical mastitis was found in 21.7 % of 

buffaloes and 8 % of the quarter foremilk samples. The Author diagnosed subclinical mastitis on the bases of samples with 

SCC 200,000 cells/ml with positive cultures. Greater percentages of samples with IMI in our study had a single major 

pathogen in both types of milking in comparison with other categories of IMI. The proportion of samples taken from MM 

buffaloes with IMI (21.74% non infected vs. 78.26% infected) is nearly double those taken from HM buffaloes (45.98% 

non infected vs. 54.02% infected). This result may be referring to the greater percentages of one major pathogen plus 

two minor pathogens (11.3%) and two major pathogens plus one minor pathogen (11.91%) in MM samples. Zadoks et al. 

(2001) indicated that poor milking machine function could lead to teat-end callosity and to increased risk of Staph. 

aureus IMI. 

Table (2) Distribution of buffalo milk samples by intramammary infection (IMI) and type of milking 

* Percentages displayed between parentheses represent column percent 

** Percentages estimated in proportion to the total number of samples (339 samples) 

HM = Hand milking, MM = Machine milking. 

As shown in Table (3), average log SCC in milk samples from non infected quarters was 4.63±0.08 (43 x103 cells/ml). This 

finding is comparable with that obtained by Youssef et al. (2008) who found that average log SCC in buffalo milk samples 

were 4.87 and 5.66 in non infected and subclinically infected quarters, respectively. Average of log SCC in milk samples 



from quarters infected with major pathogens (4.75±0.09) was relatively greater than that of quarters infected with minor 

pathogens (4.59±0.07). The highest log SCC in samples with IMI was observed in samples containing a single major 

pathogen (4.83 ±0.08) or those containing two major plus one minor pathogen (4.89 ±0.12). Samples that contained a 

single minor pathogen had the least log SCC (4.52±0.09). Milk samples from MM buffaloes had relatively greater log SCC 

than samples obtained from HM animals, except for the samples infected by one major plus one or two minor pathogens. 

Schepers et al. (1997) concluded that the increase in SCC was more pronounced for major pathogens than for minor 

pathogens so that in herds with greater prevalence of major pathogens, higher thresholds would be expected. Zadoks et 

al. (2001) concluded that low SCC quarter was not associated with increased rate of IMI with Strep. uberis or Staph. 

aureus in cattle. 

As shown in Figure (2), log SCC in milk samples of non-infected quarters followed a clear pattern among the subsequent 

lactation periods as log SCC had the minimum count (4.42) at the 1st parity then increased gradually until the 3rd parity 

(4.66) and stabilized between 4.67- 4.70 thereafter. The infected quarters showed a fluctuated trend of log SCC characterized 

by the highest count (4.92) in the 2nd parity then abruptly declined to reach a minimum count (4.48) at the 3rd 

parity. The sharp increase in log SCC in infected samples of the 2nd parity is virtually related to greater log SCC in samples 

infected with one major plus two minor pathogens (5.08±0.23) or two major plus one minor pathogen (5.14±0.2). 

Zadoks et al. (2001) concluded that the rate of infection with Strep. uberis and Staph. aureus was lower in the 1st and 

2nd parity cows than in older cows. 

Table (3) least square means (±SE) of log SCC as affected by intramammary infection (IMI) and type of milking (MT). 


SCC threshold: 

594 


A threshold of 50,000 cells /ml of milk of buffaloes was shown to have a high sensitivity and specificity for identifying 

IMI (Table 4). Sensitivity% was inversely related with the assigned thresholds of SCC, this finding is in agreement with 

Sargeant et al. (2001) who observed that within each of IMI categories, the sensitivity of SCC for identifying infected 

quarters decreased and the specificity increased as the SCC threshold increased. The term, correctly classified samples 

denotes proportion of true positive plus true negative samples e.g. the greater the proportion of truly inspected samples, 

the more accurate threshold level for identifying IMI. In this context, Schepers et al (1997) indicated that as the 

prevalence of IMI in cows increases with parity and stage of lactation the number of false negative samples also increases. 

Meanwhile, Moroni et al (2006) concluded that 98 % of quarters in buffaloes with SCC below the threshold 200,000 cells/ 

ml were uninfected. 

Table (4) Percentages of true and false classification and sensitivity with specificity in different SCC thresholds levels for 

Egyptian buffaloes. 

CONCLUSION 

The present study revealed that the infection status and parity of the animal were the most important factors affecting 

SCC in milk of buffaloes. Therefore, a considerable percent (62.24%) of IMI was noticed in the study. Moreover, inefficient 

use of machine milking may provoke opportunity of IMI and increased SCC in milk. Although, the mammary gland 

in buffaloes are characterized by thick keratinized streak canal barrier and strong teat sphincter, effectiveness of those 

features may be reduced with advancing age thus allowing increased entry of pathogens. The major pathogens Staph. 

aureus and Strep. disagalactea were predominant in the present study whereas, Corynbacteria spp represented a predominant 

minor pathogens. 

It was also observed that the increase in SCC was more pronounced for major pathogens than for minor pathogens. 

Furthermore, presence of one or more major pathogens was a predisposing factor for SCC elevation in milk of buffaloes. 

A threshold of 50,000 cells /ml of milk of buffaloes was shown to have a high sensitivity and specificity for identifying 

IMI. Such threshold may be lower than that recorded on buffaloes in other studies. Further studies on large scale of 

sampling is recommended to identify various SCC thresholds in milk of buffaloes taking into account specificity in the 

different herds and different stages of milking. 

REFERENCES 

1. Ali AK A, Shook GE. 1980. An optimum transformation for somatic cell concentration in milk. J. Dairy Sci. 63:487-490. 

2. American Public Health Association (APHA). 1993. Standard Methods for the examination of Dairy products. 16th ed. American Pub. Health 

Association, Washington. 

3. Ceroñ-Muñoz M, Tonhati H, Duarte J, Oliveira J, Muñoz-Berrocal M, Jurado-Ga´mez H. 2002. Factors affecting somatic cell counts and their 



relations with milk and milk constituent yield in Buffaloes. J. Dairy Sci. 85:2885–2889. 

4. Dhakal IP. 2004. Normal somatic cell count and subclinical mastitis in murrah buffaloes. Buffalo J., 3:261-270. 

5. El- Bramony MM 2004. A Genetic study on test-day milk yield and somatic cell count of Egyptian buffalo using random regression. Ph. D. Thesis, 

Fac. Of Agric. Cairo Univ., Egypt. 

6. International Dairy Federation 1984. Recommended methods for somatic cell counting in milk, Doc. No. 168. Int. Dairy Fed., Brussels, Belgium. 

7. Martin SW, Meek AH, Willeberg P 1987. Veterinary Epidemiology: Principles and Methods. Iowa State University Press, Ames. 

8. Moroni P, Sgoifo Rossi C, Pisoni G, Bronzo V, Castiglioni B, Boettcher PJ 2006. Relationships between somatic cell count and intramammary 

infection in buffaloes. J. Dairy Sci., 89:998-1003. 

9. National Mastitis Council (NMC) 1999. Laboratory hand book on bovine mastitis National Mastitis Council, Madison, WI. USA. 

10. Saleh IA 2005. Studies on milk production of buffaloes. Ph. D. thesis, Fac. of Agric. Mansoura Univ. Egypt 

11. Sargeant JM, Leslie KE, Shirley JE, Pulkrabek BJ, Lim GH 2001. Sensitivity and specificity of somatic cell count and California mastitis test for 

identifying intramammary infection in early lactation. J. Dairy Sci., 84:2018-2024. 

12. SAS 1998. Users Guide. SAS Institute, Inc. Cary, NC. 

13. Schepers AJ, Lam GM, Schukken YH, Wilmink JBM, Hanekamp 1997. Estimation of variance components for somatic cell counts to determine 

thresholds for uninfected quarters. J. Dairy Sci., 80:1833-1840. 

14. Singh M, Ludri RS 2001. Somatic cell counts in Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) during different stages of lactation, parity and season. Asian- 

Australas. J. Anim. Sci. 14:189–192. 

15. Youssef MM, Zommara MA, El-Sherbieny MA, Azza M El-Baz 2008. Incidence of subclinical mastitis in buffalo farms in relation to microbial and 

chemical content of milk. Proceeding of Middle East and North Africa Conf. for Animal Wealth, 16-18 October 2008, (CICC), Cairo, Egypt. 

16. Zadoks RN, Allore HG, Barkema HW, Smpimon OC, Wellenberg GH, Grohn YT, Schukken YH 2001. Cow-and quarter-level risk factors for 

streptococcus uberis and staphylococcus aureus mastitis. J. Dairy. Sci., 84:2649-2663. 


596 


Sensorial evaluation of dairy beverages 

elaborated with buffalo milk 

Caldeira, L. A.1; Ferrão, S. P. B2.; Fernandes, S. A. de A.2; Santos, T. D. R.3; Magnavita, A. P. A.3 

1Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros-UNIMONTES. Campus Janaúba, Av. Reinaldo Viana, 2630, Bico da Pedra. Janaúba/MG, 

Brasil. 2Departamento de Tecnologia Rural e Animal, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia – UESB, Itapetinga /BA, 

Brasil.3Post-graduated students, Mestrado em Engenharia de Alimentos. Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia – 

UESB, Itapetinga /BA, Brasil. 

E-mail: luburq@yahoo.com.br 

Abstract 

This work was carried out to evaluate the sensory characteristics of dairy beverages prepared from buffalo milk and 

different levels of yogurt and whey, resulting the five treatments: T1 - 10% milk plus 10% whey and 80% yogurt; T2 - 10% 

milk plus 20% whey and 70% yogurt; T3 - 10% milk plus 30% whey and 60% yogurt; T4 - 10% milk plus 40% whey and 

50% yoghurt; T5 - 10% milk plus 50% whey and 40% yoghurt. Sensorial acceptance test was performed, for hedonic scale 

of 5 points, and order of preference of all treatments. The formulations with 10% and 20% whey were the most accepted 

in sensory acceptance and preference tests by the testers. 

INTRODUCTION 

Key words: quality, dairy beverages, whey 

Dairy beverages are a result from the mixture of milk (in natura, pasteurized, esterilized, UHT, reconstituted, concentrated, 

powder milk, whole, semi-skimmed and skimmed) and milk whey (liquid, concentrated or powder), added or not with 

food product(s) or food substances, which the dairy portion represents at least 51% mass/mass (m/m) of the total. For 

dairy factories, the conversion of milk whey into dairy beverage is the most appealing option for human consumption, 

due to the easiness of the process. Moreover, the problems of waste products are reduced. Whey products not only permit 

the producer to reduce the total amount of ingredients, but also present exceptional functional properties. Furthermore, 

they are a source of dairy nutrients, especially high nutritional value proteins and calcium. The objective of this study 

was to evaluate sensorial characteristics of dairy beverages elaborated from buffalo milk and different levels of yogurt and 

dairy whey. 


The milk was acquired from Murrah buffalo and 5 processings were conducted, at each 10th day, constituting repetitions. 

Whey was obtained by Tipo Frescal cheese processing under treatment of 85?C/30 minutes and pasteurized milk under 

the processing of 62-65?C/30 minutes. Yogurt was elaborated from whole milk, 12% sugar, 2,5% dairy concentration and 

5% strawberry pulp. Yogurt was mixed with whey and milk, and 5 treatments were obtained: T1 = 10% milk, 10% whey and 

80% yogurt; T2 = 10% milk, 20% whey and 70% yogurt; T3 = 10% milk, 30% whey e 60% yogurt; T4 = 10% milk, 40% 

whey and 50% yogurt; T5 = 10% milk, 50% whey e 40% yogurt. Acceptability test was conducted by a group of 200 non- 



trained testers, from which 40 testers were designated to each processing repetition, following an hedonic scale of 5 

points, divided into: global impression, appearance, consistency and flavor. For the Order of Preference test, 100 testers 

were selected as a function of the maximum number of answers which could be evaluated by the method, with 20 testers 

to each repetition, in which each tester indicated his/her preference. The data was evaluated by the minimum significant 

difference of the sum of orders by Friedman Method (3). The tests were simultaneously applies, at the Laboratory of 

Sensorial Analysis/UESB, in individual cabins. Samples were served in disposable glasses of 50 mL, codified with 3 digit 

numbers, together with a 200 mL water glass for tasting breaks. The grades were submitted to ANOVA using Random 

blocks Design and Turkey Test, at 5% probability (4). 

RESULTS AND RESULTS 

Overall, samples presented significant differences (Table 1) in terms of evaluated attributes (p0,05) in none of the attributes. Therefore, in terms of acceptance, there was not a 

difference among levels from 10 to 20% of whey, with average values equivalent to “like” in the hedonic scale. 

Table 1- Average values from Acceptance Test for global impression, appearance, consistency and flavor of dairy beverages 

elaborated from buffalo milk. 

Averages followed by different letters in the same line are statistically different by t test at 5% probability 

he highest values for consistency in T1 and T2 may be attributed to the fact that these treatments presented a yogurt 

consistency, a character commented on their profile. In terms of global impression, T3 and T4 were similar (p>0,05). 

Although, they presented lower average values for all attributes once compared to T1 and T2. This result may be due to 

the level of whey, a substance that gives dairy beverages a non-homogenous aspect. T5 had the lowest averages for all 

attributes, statistically differing from the rest. According to Friedman Method, Random block Design for obtaining a 

significant difference among treatments at 5% was 61. Therefore, only T1 and T2 did not significantly differ among 

themselves (p>0,05), with difference modules of 25, and considered the best for testers. All the combinations left 

presented significant differences, of values ranging from 65 to 286 for Random block Design. These results agree with the 

ones from Acceptance test, which demonstrated no difference between T1 and T2. 

REFERENCES 

1. Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento. Brasil. 2005. Regulamento Técnico de Identidade e Qualidade de Bebidas Lácteas. 

Instrução Normativa nº16. 

2. Hugunin, A. 1999. O uso de produtos de soro em iogurte e produtos lácteos fermentados. Leite & Derivados, São Paulo, 5:22-33. 

3. Meilgaard, M.; Civille, G.V.; Carr, B.T. 1991. Sensory evaluation techniques. Boca Raton: CRC Press. 354 p.. 

4. Ribeiro Júnior, J. J. I. 2001. Sistemas de Análises Estatística e Genéticas. SAEG. Viçosa: UFV, 301p. 


598 


Side Preference in the Milking Parlor Among 

Murrah Buffaloes in the Recôncavo 

of Bahia, Brazil1* 

Marcondes CR1; Andréa MV2; Oliveira KN2; Oliveira RS2; Macedo Junior CM2; Cerqueira RS2; Santos DR2; Paz CC3 

1Embrapa Amazônia Oriental, Tv. Dr. Enéas Pinheiro, s/n, Belém-PA, Brazil. 2Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, 

Campus Universitário de Cruz das Almas, Cruz das Almas-BA, Brazil. 3Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Av. Presidente 

Tancredo Neves, 2501, Belém-PA, Brazil. Bolsista PIBIC/CNPq. paz. E-mail: cimarcon@cpatu.embrapa.br 

INTRODUCTION 

Keywords: buffaloes, mechanical milking, behavior, milk production, animal welfare. 

Studies of milking behavior assist technicians and breeders by providing suitable information concerning the development 

of systems committed to animal welfare and productivity1. Among cows, order of entry into the milking parlor and 

choice of milking side2 tend to be consistent, and those variable may or not2 affect milk production when the animals 

are milked from the non-preferred side, and the animals may even present changes in their social behavior or in the 

parameters that are indicative of their welfare3. 

Milk production has been found to correlate positively with the hierarchy rank, live weight and age, among cows and 

buffaloes4,5; however, little is known about the behavioral differences among female buffaloes during milking. 

This study aimed to verify whether Murrah buffaloes prefer a milking side and whether any behavioral difference is present 

across animal categories and production levels. 


The studied population comprised 248 animals in Recôncavo of Bahia, Brazil (12º30’50.00’’S and 38º29’42.64’’W), which 

participate in the genetic program with monthly Milk Control. On five consecutive days, records were made of: entrance 

order, individual side choice (left or right), observer, milk production (kg), date of birth and parturition. The analyzed 

variables were: side preference (PREF), 1 for left, 2 for right and 3 for neither side, and percent side change (COEF, 0 to 

50%) as a result of the number of changes per number of observations for each animal. Category 1 comprised the first or 

second-parturition buffaloes and category 2 all the others. Lower level meant production below the overall mean (equal 

to 5.4kg), whereas production above that mean was rated as higher level. The analyses were completed with the Statistical 

Analysis System (SAS, 2002) and Excel for Windows. 


Out of 950 observations in total for the choice of milking side in the parlor, females preferred the left side 54.3% of 

times. Following the Chi-square Test using alpha=0.05, it was found that the buffaloes preferred the left side (P

ight side). 


Production levels were statistically different (P0.05) between younger and older adults concerning PREF was found following the Chi-square 

Test for alpha=0.05 and three degrees of freedom. There was a clear linear tendency (R2=0.41) for adult animals to 

present low COEF, as shown in Figure 1. 

Figure 1: Changes in side choice (COEF) for young and adult females. 

The rank correlation was significant (P

Abstract 

600 


Studies on Differential Leukocyte Counts 

in the Colostrum of Murrah Buffalo 

Kalyan, D.; Joydip Mukherjee; Dang, A.K.; Singh, C.; Shiv Prasad 

National Dairy Research Institute Karnal, Haryana-132001 

E-mail: kalyande2007@gmail.com 

To study the differential leukocyte counts (DLC) in the colostrum of Murrah buffalo, colostrum was collected from 30 

healthy Murrah buffaloes after calving continuously upto 5 days. Colostrum was collected aseptically in cleaned milk 

bottles from each animal in each day to see the day to day variation in somatic cell counts (SCC) and DLC in the 

colostrum. It was found that the SCC were significantly higher (P


Successively dyed with Leishman stain solution for 20 min, rinsed with water and then again air dried. SCC of colostrum 

samples were measured microscopically. DLC was also carried out to determine the presence of different cell types like 

lymphocytes, neutrophils and macrophages in colostrum. The SCC and DLC were measured under the microscope with a 

magnification of 100 X 10. For SCC and DLC the slides were prepared within one hour of collection of milk samples. Milk 

SCC was estimated microscopically3. The SCC were measured under the microscope with a magnification of 100 X 10 in 

200 fields and average number of cells per field was multiplied by the microscopic factor (8.81134633). The microscopic 

factor was determined by using ocular and stage micrometer. Somatic cell counts/ml of milk (lakh) = Average cells count 

in one field x 8.81134633. The DLC is estimated in percentages. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis 

using least square analysis of variance. 


Mean ± SE values of SCC (105 cells /ml) and DLC during different days of colostrum in Murrah Buffaloes have been 

presented in Table no. 1. Colostrum SCC were significantly higher (P

REFERENCES 

602 


1. Barkema, H.W., Deluyker, H., Schukken, Y.H., Lam, T.J. 1999. Quarter-milk somatic cell count at calving and at the first six milkings after calving. 

Preventive Veterinary Medicine.,38:1-9 

2. Dang, A. K. and Anand, S. K. 2007. Effect of milking systems on the milk somatic cell counts and composition. Livest. Res. Rural Develop., 

19(6):(1-9). (http://www.cipav.org.co /lrrd/lrrd19/6/dang19074.htm). 

3. Dang, A.K., Kapila, S., Singh, C. and Sehgal, J.P. 2008. Milk differential cell counts and compositional changes in cows during different 

physiological stages, Milchwissenschaft (3): 239-242. 

4. Hogberg, S.M. and O. Lind. 2003. Buffalo Milk Production - Chapter 6: Milking the buffalo, www.milkproduction. com. 

5. Uppal, S.K., Singh, K. B., Roy, K. S., Nuriyal D. S. and Bansal, B. K. 1994. Natural defence mechanism against mastitis: A comparative 

histomorphology of buffalo teat canal. Buffalo J., 2 :125-131. 


Abstract 


Studying the effect of some 

Non-genetic factors on daily 

Milk yield of iraqi buffaloes 

Idriss S, Saadi Khalaf Jabbar * ** ** Salah Fadel Abbas 

Samira Hamid Latif Jassim Mohammed Zair *** *** Qasim Mustafa * 

This study was carried in the village of Fudhaliyah / Baghdad governorate during winter and summer / 2007, to study the 

effect of herd size and age at first birth, number of days open and the chapter on the daily milk production of a sample 

of Iraqi buffaloes. 

The study included 200 educators from their property between 4-250 head of the buffalo of different ages were selected 

at random. Has registered each of the total herd size and milking herd size and age at first birth, in addition to the daily 

production of milk during the winter and summer. Has been divided by the total herd and dairy herd to 6 groups 

according to the size of property. Daily milk production was significantly higher (0.01p

604 


With a focus on the impact of environmental factors, especially nutrition, in the productivity of milk and animal fat 

under those circumstances controlled (9, 21, 25). But not to other factors and physiological management of no less 

importance in their impact on production, such as herd size, age at first birth, number of days open, and other production 

season, particularly in the production conditions prevailing in Iraq. The system of breeding Extensive or free grazing 

l and herd size disparity between the number of animals to several hundreds of them, , scarcity of fodder, and other 

factors that lead to a significant disparity in the productivity of animal milk and meat. 

Based on this study was conducted to shed light on the reality of the daily production of buffalo milk in Iraqi and the 

factors influencing it in terms of herd size, age at first birth, number of days open as well as the production season, based 

on data collected for a period of one year to sample a relatively large area Fudhaliyah in Baghdad province. 

Materials and methods 

This study was carried in a questionnaire Random Survey of a sample of buffalo breeders numbered 200 in the village of 

Fudhaliyah located at eastern border of Baghdad ,as the number of buffalo which about 20000 header (2). 

Questionnaire has been some important elements in the process of raising buffalo, such as: the total herd size, the size 

of herd milk, female age at first birth, number of days open Days open (which is the period between delivery status and 

another conception ) as well as the amount of milk daily in summer and winter seasons. As the questionnaire on the type 

and quantity covered in animal feed, which was similar to a large extent between buffalo farmers, which included: alpha 

alpha (10 kg) or bran (4 kg) per animal per day, in addition to the straw (wheat or barley straw) or Alboh (rice straw) as 

requested by the animal and the financial ability of the breeder. 

Breeders have been classified on the basis of ownership to 6 groups: 1 (4-10), 2 (11-20), 3 (21-30), 4 (31-40), 5 (41- 

50) and 6 (more than 50 head). Herd has been classified by the number of animals, milk cows in the herd one at random, 

regardless of the age of the animal, to groups would be: 

Group I (1) The herd, which consists of 1 to 10 individuals. 

Group II (2), from 11 to 20. 

Group III (3), from 21 to 30. 

Group D (4) from 31 to 40. 

Group V (5) 41 and more. 

Has been classified into two seasons of production seasons are summer and winter, and adopted the dairy herd size and 

season of Fixed factors were compared using the check averages Duncan (15). The physiological characteristics, including 

age at first birth, number of days open have been considered Random variables that were factor analyzed using Linear 

Regression on the production of milk daily to the animal to take advantage of the statistical program SPSS.6 (24). 

Have been analyzed for fixed factors mentioned above as the mathematical model the following: 

Y ijk = ? + G i + S j + e ijk 

Where: 

Y ijk = the amount of viewing (the amount of milk daily in the season breeders k of the group i 

? = general average of the sample 

G i = after the group i (i = 1, 2 00 to 5) 

S j = effect of SESONS j (j = 1 and 2) 

e ijk = errior which is ?distributed normally with an average equal to zero and the variation of e 2 

Results and Discussion 

Herd size and the distribution of attributes 

Seen from tables (1 and 2) the distribution of the total herd size and statistical measures of the attributes studied. 



Table 1: Distribution of the number and proportion of farmers among the groups of numbers in the sample 

The group * number of farmers Percentage 

* Number of animals in one group as shown in the search mode 

Seen from the table (1) that about 50% of herds is between the small to medium-sized, ranging number of buffalo in one 

herd between 4 to 20, the head normally. The remaining of the herds, approximately 25% of which ranged in size from 20 

to 40 head, 25% include herds with more than 40 the number on the upside, knowing that the smallest herd size was 4 

headers and the largest herd shown in this study was the size of 253 head. 

Though this distribution to the size of the herd in the area of search may not be much different than it is in other parts 

of Iraq (private data), but it is much different than is the case in other countries. In Italy, which has a population where 

the buffalo to 265 thousand head, the average herd size to 50 head. In Bulgaria, which has 92 thousand head of buffalo, 

which was soon to follow the system of cooperative farms, increase the size of the herd to 500 head, applying modern 

methods of raising and production and manufacture of milk into the structure of the products with high specifications. 

As for Turkey, which reduced the number of buffaloes from approximately 1 million to 110 thousand head, the herd size 

ranging from 1 to 15 animals. In Egypt, where there are about 4 million head of buffalo, participate in the production of 

65% of the total milk produced in this country, the average herd size is not more than 3 buffalo normally. In India, which 

is at the forefront of countries in terms of the number of buffalo (95 million head), 85% of this number is in the hands 

of small farmers in the form of herds ranging from 1 to 5 heads. And are similar to Iran, which has a 500 thousand heads, 

with Iraq in terms of the modalities of raising and the size of the individual property of buffalo ranging from 5 to 100 

head (17, 20). 

Seen from the table (2) the average of the attributes studied, regardless of the factors influencing them. Did not differ 

in daily production rate of milk in this site a lot of what indicated by other studies on Iraqi production of buffalo milk 

during the period of years. He pointed Williamson (27), Juma (21, 22), Desouki (3) that the daily productivity of buffalo 

milk ranging from 5 to 6 kg. He cited Kassir (23) values are similar, while M El-Dessouky (16) in another study on a village 

buffalo white gold, that the daily milk production per buffalo ranged from 6 to 10 kg. 


606 


Table 2: Some of the studied traits (mean ± standard deviation) in the sample 

Capacity and the number of observations (average ± standard deviation) 

Daily production of milk (kg) 

In the latest study of Iraqi buffaloes in southern Iraq, said Edris and his group (1) that the average daily production of 

milk in buffaloes fed the traditional way, which is about feeding on common reeds, rice straw (Alboh) and remnants of 

mills at different rates, depending on the financial condition of the breeders and the level of education, was 5.67 kg, 

this production has risen to 8.40 kg, has been modified when the daily diet of the herd to provide alpha alpha, 

amounting to 12 kg / head per day, with 6 to 8 kg of feed concentrate consisting of barley, 37%, Maize 15 %, 40% wheat 

bran, brocken rice 5%, calcium 2% salt 1%. 

When comparing these rates with rates of Buffalo global productivity, we find that the production of buffalo Indian, 

Italian and Pakistani is 7 kg per day, with reference to this is the overall rate of the herd in these countries, and there 

is a distinct herds of more than 20 daily output, and there are some individuals outstanding to 30 kg, depending on the 

breed and diet (11, 12, 14, 19). 

It also should be noted that we found a number of individuals in the search area the rate of daily output to 20 kg, which 

informs that there are some distinct genotypes, which can be used in the process of genetic improvement in the future. 

Table 3: Effect of herd size and season in the production of milk daily (kg) in a sample Iraqi buffaloes (mean ± standard 

deviation) 

* The numbers in brackets refer to the number of dairy animals in each group 

** Numbers in brackets refer to the number of herds 

+: Different letters within column indicate significant disagree with (0.01p


Effect of herd size in the daily production of milk. 

Seen from the table (3), not to the size of the herd moral effect on the daily production of milk other than expected 

except for one case, as she was small herds (1 to 10 head) and large (40 and over) less productive than those mediumsized 

(11 to 40), The difference between medium and small herds moral (0.01p

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608 


1 - Idris, Carpet more, Kazem al-Tamimi; Sadiq Ali Taha and Mohammed Ghazi 

Mohammed Said (2007). Study the effect of the modified diet in the production of milk and fat at the local buffalo. Journal of Agriculture of Iraq, 

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Adnan, J. J. (1999). Effect of some climatic factors on Iraqi Buffalo performance. Buffalo News letter, (13): 218. 7 -- 

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Ashwaq, CM. (1973). Buffalo production in Iraq with emphasis on the marsh areas, FAO, Baghdad, Iraq. 9 -- 

Bagdasar G. A. and K. A. juma (1999). Some non genetic influences on total milk yield in Iraqi buffaloes. Buffalo News letter, 12:206 - 207 10 -- 

Bertoni, G.; F. Piccioli Cappelli; U. Bernabucci and E. Distefano (1991). Some effects of feeding management on milk production and metabolism 

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MILK PRODUCTION

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