Association of somatic cell count with quality and quantity of milk in indigenous and crossbreed cattle
Author(s): SD Chavan, PS Sakhare, DH Kankhare, SH Mane and AA Bhagat
Abstract: The study evaluated the relationship between somatic cell count (SCC) and milk production traits—yield and composition—in indigenous and crossbred cattle at Pune, Maharashtra during 2024–2025 across the rainy, winter, and summer seasons. Significant breed–season interactions were evident as SCC in indigenous cattle peaked during the rainy season (143.07 × 10³ cells/ml) and was lowest in winter (122.49 × 10³), whereas crossbreeds consistently exhibited higher SCC values in all seasons, highest in the rainy season (150.66 × 10³), reflecting lower adaptability to climatic stress. Average milk yield showed an inverse trend to SCC, with both breeds yielding most in winter. Indigenous breeds maintained superior milk composition year-round, indicating better thermal adaptation and udder health. Strong negative correlations were found between SCC and average milk yield in both groups, most pronounced in winter for indigenous breeds (r = –0.756) and in the rainy season for crossbreeds (r = –0.465); in crossbreeds, SCC also negatively correlated with lactose during summer. Indigenous cattle had statistically higher milk fat (3.82–3.98%), solids-not-fat (8.70–8.87%), protein (3.27–3.40%), and lactose (4.81–4.85%) than crossbreeds (3.19–3.29%, 8.13–8.23%, 3.02–3.09%, 4.32–4.47%, respectively). The highest thermal stress (THI 71.72) occurred in summer. Overall, indigenous breeds have greater environmental resilience, consistently better udder health, and superior milk quality, as compared to crossbreeds during periods of climatic stress.
