Teat canal diameter and other cow factors with possible influence on somatic cell counts in cow milk.
A case-control study on matched pairs of cows in 2 counties of Norway indicated a strong positive association between teat canal diameter (TCD) and somatic cell count (SCC) in milk. The study indicated further a highly significant association between leakage of milk and high SCC and a significant association between teat injury and high SCC. Finally, an association between the shape of the teat end and SCC that was nearly significant (p = .067) when considered in isolation, was shown to exist through it's dependency on TCD. A flat or inverted teat end is associated with a large TCD while a pointed or round teat end tends to have a smaller TCD.
Jørstad
A
A
Farver
T B
TB
Riemann
H
H
D000818:Animals; D002140:California; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002417:Cattle; D002452:Cell Count / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000473:pathology*; D008414:Mastitis, Bovine / Q000473:pathology*; D008892:Milk / Q000166:cytology*; D009664:Norway