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. 2020 Aug 31;10(9):1534.
doi: 10.3390/ani10091534.

Udder Morphometry and Its Relationship with Intramammary Infections and Somatic Cell Count in Serrana Goats

Gisele Margatho  1   2 , Hélder Quintas  3 , Vicente Rodríguez-Estévez  4 , João Simões  1
Affiliations

Udder Morphometry and Its Relationship with Intramammary Infections and Somatic Cell Count in Serrana Goats

Gisele Margatho et al. Animals (Basel). .

Abstract

The external morphological traits of the mammary gland, and their relationships with somatic cell count (SCC) and the presence of intramammary infection (IMI), were studied in 30 Serrana goats, Transmontano ecotype. Globular-shaped udders were the most predominant, with slightly separated and symmetrical halves, presenting some degree of suspension. Funnel-shaped teats were the most prevalent shape with an opening of 120° to 160° degrees. Significant differences were observed between healthy group and the coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS)-infected group for udder cleft, teat perimeter and distance between teats parameters; and between healthy group and CNS or Staphylococcus aureus groups for degree of separation, teat shape and udder shape (p < 0.05). The udder shape, symmetry, degree of suspension and degree of separation parameters showed to be different depending on SCC (p < 0.05). The udder perimeter and udder depth traits showed differences between the lowest and the middle SCC group. We concluded that bifurcated pendular udders, with vertical loose teats and located close to each other, are more likely to have IMI, and have the highest SCC. The inclusion in breeding programs of certain mammary conformation traits would not only help to improve milk production, but would also decrease the susceptibility to IMI of the herd.

Keywords: goats; mastitis; morphometry; udder.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Udder physical conformation measurements. UP = Udder perimeter; TP = teat perimeter; DBT = distance between teats; TL = Teat length; UD = Udder depth; TDG = Teat distance to the ground; UC = Udder cleft.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Morphological characterization of the sample (Serrana goats); Parameters: Symmetry (a), Udder shape (b), Teat Shape (c), Teat angle (d), Degree of separation (e), Degree of suspension (f).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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