Cell counts in bulked milk supplies from dairy farms of northern Nigeria.
Somatic cells in 596 milk samples collected from bulked supplies of 3 northern Nigeria dairy farms were counted by an electronic method following a standard method for the preparation of the milk samples. Mean somatic cell counts per ml indicating low level of infection were 158,597, 166,742 and 155,032 for the 3 farms, without any significant differences. Mean somatic cell counts per ml indicating herd mastitis averaged 354,768 +/- 66,348 and the pathogenic organisms isolated were Escherichia coli and Staphylocucus aureus. Counts useful for future regular monitoring of somatic cells in bulked milk supplies in northern Nigeria are presented.
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D005260:Female; D008414:Mastitis, Bovine / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008892:Milk / Q000166:cytology*; D009549:Nigeria; D012621:Seasons