UDDER AND TEAT BIOMETRY IN RELATION TO ELEVATED SOMATIC CELL COUNT AND RISK OF SUBCLINICAL MASTITIS IN DAIRY COWS

Abstract The association between udder and teat biometrics with occurrence of subclinical mastitis (SCM) in dairy cows was investigated in this study. The relationship of udder and teat biometrics with udder health status were analyzed by using Chi- square test, one-way ANOVA, and a binomial logistic regression model. Funnel teats and round udder were the most common, and their distribution among the breeds differed. Teat shape (TS) was associated with SCM, and the cows with bottle shaped teats experienced the highest odds of SCM, while cylindrical teats were least affected. The udder SCC was higher in Jersey while quarter SCC was larger in fore teats in both Jersey and HF. Similarly, quarter and udder SCC were higher in SCM cows compared to the healthy ones. Teat length (TL), teat diameter (TD), and teat-to-floor distance (TFD) were associated with increased risk of SCM. Teats were longer and wider in HF and placed farther from floor, while Lulu had the shortest and thinnest teats placed nearer to the floor. The SCM animals had low set udders, longer and thicker teats with smaller udder length, width, TFD and distance between teats than in healthy animals. The increase in TL and TD and decrease in TFD showed an intensification of the risk of SCM by 11.55 folds in fore, 3.88 folds in hind, 9.58 times in right teats and 8.52 folds in thicker teats. Each unit increase in TFD cuts off probability of SCM by 43% in fore, 11% in hind and 10% in left teats. Thus, biometric traits are important characteristics for SCM management and need to be duly considered in the selection and breeding program of dairy cows to cut off the incidence of SCM.