Somatic cell alteration in healthy and mastitic milk of sheep and goats

The present study was conducted from December 2014 to April 2016 in three districts of Kashmir valley including Srinagar, Ganderbal and Budgam. 50 milk samples were collected from healthy and mastitic sheep and goats. California mastitis test was used to confirm the presence of mastitis in the animals. Direct microscopy was done to find the somatic cell count in both the species along with the differential leukocyte count. It was found that neutrophils increases in both sheep (74.08±4.02) and goats (79.10±3.75) during mastitis while as macrophages are predominant in healthy milk of sheep (54.60±4.40) and neutrophils in healthy goats (64.10±5.91) showing the species difference. Gram’s positive bacteria were demonstrated in the milk smears. Cytochemical examination showed altered demonstrable activity of glycogen, alkaline phosphatase and myeloperoxidase. It was concluded mastitis in small ruminants increases the somatic cell count and alters the differential cell count affecting both quality and quantity of milk. Cytochemical demonstration of glycogen, alkaline phosphatase and myeloperoxidase shows the high activity of somatic cells during mastitis.