TOTAL AND DIFFERENTIAL SOMATIC-CELL COUNTS IN SECRETIONS FROM NONINFECTED BOVINE MAMMARY-GLANDS - THE PERIPARTUM PERIOD

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 42  (8) , 1366-1368
Abstract
In 3 cows mean total somatic cell counts in mammary gland secretions were > 1 .times. 106/ml from 25 days before parturition until parturition; this facilitated the study of the incidence of intramammary infection. Cell population decreased rapidly after parturition, and all counts in foremilk were < 1 .times. 105/ml 10 days after parturition. Macrophages and lymphocytes in equal numbers were present in secretions before parturition. Starting approximately 5 days before parturition, lymphocytes decreased so that they were absent at parturition. Nearly all cells in secretions after parturition were macrophages. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils were in low numbers or absent from all secretions.