Composition of milk and mammary gland health in Criollo breed mares during lactation

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the components of milk and mammary gland health of Criollo mares. A total of 12 mares coming from a farm in southern Brazil were used. Samples of milk were taken from each mare every two weeks up to 180 days of lactation. The characteristics analyzed were fat, protein, lactose, total solids, somatic cell count (SCC) and total bacterial count (TBC). In relation to the health of the udder and the milk of the mares, the SCC was 24.1 x 103cells / ml and TBC was 44 x 103CFU / ml, while the average of milk components was 0.57% fat, 1.95% protein, 6.71% lactose and 9.24% total solids. Stage of lactation and individual characteristics may influence the level of milk components. The low SCC and TBC found in the Criollo breed mares’ milk ensure the quality of their milk compared to other species.摘要 本研究旨在评估克里奥罗（Criollo）母马的乳汁成分与乳腺健康状况。本研究共纳入来自巴西南部某农场的12匹母马，于其泌乳期内每两周采集一次乳汁样本，直至泌乳第180天为止。本次分析的指标涵盖脂肪含量、蛋白质含量、乳糖含量、总固形物含量、体细胞计数（Somatic Cell Count, SCC）与总细菌计数（Total Bacterial Count, TBC）。针对母马乳腺及乳汁健康的分析结果显示，其体细胞计数为24.1×10³个/毫升，总细菌计数为44×10³CFU/毫升；同时乳汁成分的平均值为：脂肪0.57%、蛋白质1.95%、乳糖6.71%、总固形物9.24%。泌乳阶段与个体特征可能会对乳汁成分水平产生影响。与其他物种相比，克里奥罗母马乳汁中较低的体细胞计数与总细菌计数可保障其乳汁品质。