Genetic parameters between somatic cell score and production traits for Holstein cattle in Southern Brazil / Parámetros genéticos entre el conteo de células somáticas y las características productivas de bovinos Holstein del Sur de Brasil / Parâmetros genéticos entre escore de células somáticas e características produtivas em bovinos da raça Holandesa do Sul do Brasil

Abstract Background: Somatic cell score is an important parameter to predict milk quality and health of cows. However, in countries like Brazil, this trait is still not selected on a large scale, and no genetic parameters are reported in the literature. Objective: To estimate the variance components and genetic parameters for somatic cell score, milk yield, fat yield, protein yield, fat percentage, and protein percentage in Holstein cows. Methods: Records from 56,718 animals were used to estimate variance components, heritability, and genetic correlations using a multi-trait animal model by the REML method. Results: The heritability estimates were 0.19 for somatic cell score, 0.22 for milk yield, 0.26 for fat yield, 0.18 for protein yield, 0.61 for fat percentage, and 0.65 for protein percentage. The estimates of genetic correlations among analyzed traits ranged from -0.50 to 0.82. Conclusion: The low heritability observed for somatic cell score indicates that selection for this trait should result in benefits related to animal health and milk quality, but only in the long term. The low correlation between productive traits and somatic cell score indicates that inclusion of somatic cell score in animal breeding programs does not interfere negatively with the genetic selection for milk yield or solids.

Resumen Antecedentes: El conteo de células somáticas es un parámetro importante para predecir la calidad de la leche y la salud de las vacas. Sin embargo, en países como Brasil, esta característica aún no se selecciona a gran escala y no se reportan parámetros genéticos en la literatura. Objetivo: Estimar los componentes de varianza y parámetros genéticos para el conteo de células somáticas, producción de leche, producción de grasa, producción de proteína, porcentaje de grasa y porcentaje de proteína en vacas de la raza Holstein. Métodos: Se usaron registros de 56.718 animales para estimar los componentes de la varianza, heredabilidad y correlaciones genéticas usando un modelo animal multicaracterístico por medio del método REML. Resultados: Las estimaciones de heredabilidad fueron 0,19 para el conteo de células somáticas, 0,22 para la producción de leche, 0,26 para la producción de grasa, 0,18 para producción de proteína, 0,61 para el porcentaje de grasa y 0,65 para el porcentaje de proteína. Las estimaciones de correlación genética entre las características analizadas variaron entre -0,50 a 0,82. Conclusión: La baja heredabilidad encontrada para conteo de células somáticas demostró que la selección para esta característica podría resultar en beneficios para la salud animal y calidad de la leche, pero sólo a largo plazo. La baja correlación genética existente entre las características productivas y el conteo de células somáticas indica que la inclusión del conteo de células somáticas en programas de selección no interfiere negativamente en la selección genética para la producción de leche o sólidos.

Resumo Antecedentes: O escore de células somáticas é um parâmetro importante para a predição da qualidade do leite, bem como para a saúde das vacas. No entanto, em alguns países como o Brasil, essa característica não é selecionada em larga escala e não há parâmetros genéticos disponíveis na literatura. Objetivo: Estimar os componentes de variância e parâmetros genéticos para o escore de células somáticas, produção de leite, produção de gordura, produção de proteína, porcentagem de gordura e porcentagem de proteína em vacas da raça Holandesa. Métodos: Foi utilizado um total de 56.718 animais para estimar os componentes de variância, herdabilidade e correlações genéticas, considerando-se o modelo animal multicaracterística por meio do método REML. Resultados: As estimativas de herdabilidade foram de 0,19 para o escore de células somáticas, 0,22 para a produção de leite, 0,26 para a produção de gordura, 0,18 para produção de proteína, 0,61 para a porcentagem de gordura e 0,65 para a porcentagem de proteína. As estimativas de correlação genética entre as características analisadas variaram entre -0,50 a 0,82. Conclusão: A baixa herdabilidade encontrada para o escore de células somáticas demonstrou que a seleção para esta característica poderá resultar em benefícios para a saúde animal e qualidade do leite, porém, somente a longo prazo. A baixa correlação genética existente entre as características produtivas e o escore de células somáticas demonstrou que a inclusão do escore de células somáticas em programas de seleção não causa interferência negativa na seleção genética para a produção de leite ou sólidos.

Polymorphism of bovine lipocalin-2 gene and its impact on milk production traits and mastitis in Holstein Friesian cattle

Background: Mastitis is one of the most serious diseases of dairy cattle, causing substantial financial losses. While predisposition to reduced somatic cell count in milk has been considered for in cattle breeding programs as the key indicator of udder health status, scientists are seeking genetic markers of innate immune response, which could be helpful in selecting cows with improved immunity to mastitis. Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) is a protein involved in the response of the immune system by eliminating iron ions which are necessary for the growth of pathogenic bacteria, so LCN2 may be considered as a natural bacteriostatic agent and could become a marker of infection. Results: A total of five SNPs were identified in LCN2 gene (one in the promoter, three in exon 1, and one in intron 1). A single haplotype block was identified. The locus g.98793763GNC was found to have a significant impact on protein levels in milk, and alleles of this locus were identified to have a significant positive dominance effect on this trait. None of the four analysed loci had a statistically significant impact on the milk yield, fat levels in milk or the somatic cell score. LCN-2 gene had no significant impact on the incidence of mastitis in the cows. Conclusions: Although the identified SNPs were not found to have any impact on the somatic cell count or the incidence of mastitis in cows, it seems that further research is necessary, covering a larger population of cattle, to confirm the association between lipocalin-2 and milk production traits and mastitis.

Microorganismos aislados en cultivo bacteriológico de muestras de leche de vacas holstein clínicamente sanas / Microorganisms isolated in bacteriological culture from milk samples from clinically healthy holstein cows / Microrganismos isolados em cultivo bacteriológico de amostras do leite de vacas holandesas clinicamente saudáveis

Resumen El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la frecuencia de aislamiento de microorganismos de tipo infeccioso y ambiental en leche de un grupo vacas clínicamente sanas en dos diferentes tipos de ordeño. Para ello se utilizaron muestras de leche de 289 vacas ubicadas en hatos de cuatro municipios del Norte del departamento de Antioquia en diferentes sistemas de ordeño (manual y mecánico), a cada muestra de leche se le hizo cultivo bacteriológico para determinar la presencia de microorganismos. De 289 muestras de leche evaluadas, 193 (66,78%) fueron positivas para aislamiento de cualquier tipo de patógeno (ocho diferentes patógenosaislados), de las cuales 81 (28,02%) muestras provenían de ordeño manual y 112 (38,75%) pertenecían a ordeño mecánico, encontrando un mayor porcentaje de aislamiento de patógenos bacterianos en muestras de leche provenientes de sistema de ordeño mecánico (p=0,0236). El patógeno de mayor aislamiento fue el Arcanobacterium haemolyticum (antes clasificado como Corinebacterium sp), microorganismo que hace parte de la flora saprófita del animal, con presencia de manera individual en el 20,14% de las muestras analizadas y en confección con otros patógenos en 0,7% de las muestras. El microorganismo que siempre se reporta como mayor productor de mastitis subclínica en bovinos es el Streptococcus agalactiae, un patógeno infeccioso, que en el presente estudio se aisló del 12,50% de las muestras de leche. Se determinó el Odds ratio (OR), entre aislamiento de Streptococcus agalactiae y Score de Células somáticas (SCS) que fue estadísticamente significativo, indicando que cuando está presente este patógeno el SCS aumenta y los animales son más susceptibles a padecer mastitis.

Abstract A microbiological analysis was performed to determine the frequency of isolation of microorganisms of infectious and environmental type in milk from a group of clinically healthy cows in two different types of milking (manual and mechanical). To each sample of milk was made bacteriological culture to determine the presence of microorganisms. Of 289 milk samples evaluated, 193 (66.78%) were positive for isolation of any type of pathogen, of which 81 (28.02%) samples came from manual milking and 112 (38.75%) belonged to mechanical milking, finding a higher percentage of isolation of bacterial pathogens in milks coming from mechanical milking system (p = 0.0236). The most isolated pathogen was the Arcanobacterium haemolyticum, A microorganism that forms part of the saprophytic flora of the animal, with an individual presence in 20.14% and in coinfection with other pathogens in 0.7% of the samples. The most common microorganism of subclinical mastitis in cattle is Streptococcus agalactiae, which in the present study was isolated from 12.50% of milk samples. The odds ratio (OR) between the isolation of Streptococcus agalactiae and the Somatic Cell Score (SCS) was determined, which was statistically significant, indicating that when this pathogen is present the SCS increases and the animals are more susceptible to mastitis.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a frequência de isoLamento de microorganismos de tipo infecciosos e ambientaL no Leite de um grupo de vacas cLinicamente saudáveL em dois diferentes tipos de ordenha. Para este fim utiLizaram-se amostras do Leite de 289 vacas LocaLizadas em rebanhos de quatro municipaLidades do Norte de Antioquia com dois tipos diferentes de ordenha (manuaL e mecânica), a cada amostra do Leite foi feito um cuLtivo bacterioLógico para determinar a presença de microorganismos. De 289 amostras do Leite avaLiadas, 193 (66,78%) foram positivas para o isoLamento de quaLquer tipo de agente patogênico (oito diferentes agentes patogênicos isoLados), das quais 81 (28,02%) amostras eram de ordenha manuaL e 112 (38, 75%) foram de ordenha mecânica, encontrando uma maior percentagem de isoLamento dos agentes patogênicos bacterianos nos Leites provenientes do sistema de ordenha mecânica (p = 0,0236). O agente patogênico mais isoLado foi Arcanobacterium haemolyticum (Corinebacterium sp), microrganismo que faz parte da flora saprófita do animaL, presentes individuaLmente em 20,14% das amostras anaLisadas, e em reLação com outros agentes patogênicos o 0,7% das amostras. O microrganismo que sempre se reporta como o maior produtor de mastite subcLínica em gado é o Streptococcus agalactiae, um agente patogênico infeccioso, que neste estudo foi isoLado no 12,50% das amostras do Leite. Foi determinado o Odds ratio (OR) entre o isoLamento de Streptococcus agalactiae e Pontuação das céLuLas somáticas (SCS), e foi estatisticamente significativo, indicando que quando o agente patogênico está presente, o SCS aumenta e os animais são mais susceptíveis à mastite.

Estimates of correlations among yield traits and somatic cell score with different models to adjust for bovine somatotropin effects on Holstein dairy cows

Records of Holstein cows from the Dairy Records Processing Center at Raleigh, NC were edited to obtain three data sets: 65,720 first, 50,694 second, and 65,445 later lactations. Correlations among yield traits and somatic cell score were estimated with three different models: 1) bovine somatotropin (bST) administration ignored, 2) bST administration as a fixed effect and 3) administration of bST as part of the contemporary group (herd-year-month-bST). Heritability estimates ranged from 0.13 to 0.17 for milk, 0.12 to 0.20 for fat, 0.14 to 0.16 for protein yields, and 0.08 to 0.09 for somatic cell score. Estimates were less for later than first lactations. Estimates of genetic correlations among yields ranged from 0.35 to 0.85 with no important differences between estimates with the 3 models. Estimates for lactation 2 agreed with estimates for lactation 1. Estimates of genetic correlations for later lactations were generally greater than for lactations 1 and 2 except between milk and protein yields. Estimates of genetic correlations between yields and somatic cell score were mostly negative or small (-0.45 to 0.11). Estimates of environmental correlations among yield traits were similar with all models (0.77 to 0.97). Estimates of environmental correlations between yields and somatic cell score were negative (-0.22 to -0.14). Estimates of phenotypic correlations among yield traits ranged from 0.70 to 0.95. Estimates of phenotypic correlations between yields and somatic cell score were small and negative. For all three data sets and all traits, no important differences in estimates of genetic parameters were found for the two models that adjusted for bST and the model that did not

Impact of bovine somatotropin on ranking for genetic value of dairy sires for milk yield traits and somatic cell score

Records of Holstein cows were used to examine how different models account for the effect of bovine somatotropin (bST) treatment on genetic evaluation of dairy sires for yield traits and somatic cell score. Data set 1 included 65,720 first-lactation records. Set 2 included 50,644 second-lactation records. Set 3 included 45,505 records for lactations three, four and five. Estimated breeding values (EBV) of sires were with three different animal models. With Model 1, bST administration was ignored. With Model 2, bST administration was used as a fixed effect. With Model 3, administration of bST was used to define the contemporary group (herd-year-month of calving-bST). Correlations for EBV of 1,366 sires with treated daughters between pairs of the three models were calculated for milk, fat and protein yields and somatic cell score for the three data sets. Correlations for EBV of sires between pairs of models for all traits ranged from 0.971 to 0.999. Fractions of sires with bST-treated progeny selected in common (top 10 to 15%) were 0.94 and usually greater for all pairs of models for all traits and parities. For this study, the method of statistical adjustment for bST treatment resulted in a negligible effect on genetic evaluations of sires when some daughters were treated with bST and suggests that selection of sires to produce the next generation of sires and cows might not be significantly affected by how the effect of bST is modeled for prediction of breeding values for milk, fat and protein yields and somatic cell score