Genetic features of mastitis
Grootenhuis, G.
Tijdschrift Voor Diergeneeskunde 105(17): 715-718
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0040-7453 PMID: 7423467 Document Number: 161794
Every disease is due to genetic and environmental factors; this also is true of mastitis. Differences in susceptibility to mastitis between two groups of paternal half-sibs and between two breeds are based on genetic differences. Groups of cows which were less susceptible to mastitis showed lower milk cell counts as early as the first lactation. In searching for a parameter to select A.I.bulls it was found that significantly lower cell counts during the first lactation in daughter groups were indicative of lower mastitis levels in older daughters of the same sire. Conversely, higher cell counts were associated with higher mastitis levels later in life. Further research is in progress.