Reports that the presence of persistent organic pollutants in fat may affect fatty acid metabolism prompted this research aiming to study the relationship between the contents of γ-HCH and DDT, DDE, DDD, and ΣDDT, and fatty acid composition of milk fat. The material consisted of 50 samples of cow and mare milk, collected in 2015. Ludwicki’s and the Röse-Gottlieb and IDF Standard methods were used to prepare the samples. Statistical analyses were conducted using Statistica 12.0. There was a negative correlation between the content of γ-HCH and C16:1, C17:1, C18:1c9, C18:1c9c12, and ΣMUFA in cow milk fat and C13:0, C14:0, and C10:1 in mare milk fat. A positive correlation was observed between γ-HCH and C6:0 to C12:0, C14:0, C18:1t16, and ΣSFA in cow milk fat, and between this compound and C14:0iso, C16:1, C17:1, C18:1c9,11, and ΣMUFA in mare milk fat. A negative correlation between the contents of ΣDDT and C16:1, C17:1, C18:1c9,11,13 and ΣMUFA in cow milk fat and C16:0iso, C17:0, and C18:3 in mare milk fat was noted. A positive correlation was found between the contents of ΣDDT and saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids and ΣSFA and ΣPUFA in cow milk fat, and C18:2c9c12 in mare milk fat. The correlation between the content of selected organochlorine compounds and the composition of fatty acids in cow and mare milk fat indicates the strong influence of these environmental pollutants on the nutritional value of milk fat.

Objective: This study was conducted to assess hygienic cow milk handling practices of milk producers, traders (informal collectors, transporters and vendors) and consumers across the milk supply chain in the Eastern Ethiopia. Materials and methods: A total of 160 milk producers in Babile district were selected using multistage stratified sampling technique. Moreover, a total of 54 milk collectors and transporters (5, 40, 9 from Jigjiga, Harar and Dire Dawa town, respectively), 152 vendors (40 from Bable, Harar and Dire Dawa town and 32 from Jigjiga town) and 160 consumers (40 from each town) were selected using snowball sampling technique. Data from the selected actors were collected using focus group discussion, questionnaire survey and observations. Results: The study revealed that the majority of milk handling operations in the study area is carried out by females. The majority of respondent milk producers (87.5-92.5%), collectors and transporters (88.9-100%), vendors (77.5-90.7%) and some consumers (37.5-47.5%) performing milk handling operations were illiterate. Most of the observed actors in the study area perform malpractices (such as failure to stop milk handling while showing disease symptoms, improper hand washing and handling of risk factors) while working with milk. Majority of respondent milk producers (87.5-97.5%), all traders and some consumers (12.5-32.5%) use plastic containers for milk handling. Milk handling equipments were commonly washed using warm water, detergent and sand; however, in most case they were not properly protected from risk factors after washing. Majority of respondent milk producers (55-65%), collectors and transporters (60-66.7%), and some vendors (0-50%) and consumers (0-55%) use water from non-tap sources for hygienic practices. Conclusion: In general; the findings indicated that milk handling practices performed across the supply chain in the study area were unhygienic and therefore suggested the need for improving hygienic practices. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(2.000): 112-126]

This study was conductedon raw cow’s milk collected in seven statesof Malaysia to investigate the compositionof minerals and trace elements in the milk.Raw cow’s milk samples were collectedfrom Kedah, Perak, Johor, Melaka,Pahang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilanfrom January to November 2015. ICPMStechnique combined with microwavedigestion were applied to determine theconcentration of five major minerals (Na,Mg, K, Ca and P) and eleven trace elements(Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Sr, Mo,Baand Pb) in the milk samples. The resultof analysis showed relatively constantcomposition of minerals and trace elementsin the samples but some variations wereobserved in certain states. Application ofprincipal component analysis (PCA) in thecomposition data showed different clusterexists between the states of Selangor andNegeri Sembilan as well as Kedah andNegeri Sembilan. There is no significantdifference observed in the compositionsof minerals and trace elements betweenother states. The compositions of mineralsand trace elements in raw cow’s milk inMalaysia are comparable with reports fromother research. Further studies can be doneto investigate the source of nutrient, foodor environmental condition that producedthe amounts of minerals and trace elementsin the milk.

A preliminary study on the effect of probiotics in fermented palm kernel meal (FPKM) and total mixed ration (TMR) to improve milk production in dairy cattle was carried out. TMR feeding enhances feed intake, improves the ecology of the rumen leading to stimulated microbial activity to digest more feed, and then finally increases productivity of the cows. Probiotics ofBacillus spp. was given through concentrate after a fermentation process for three days. The trial was carried out at the Dairy Unit, Veterinary Institute, Kluang, Johore. Twenty Mafriwal cows with low milk production were selected and divided into twoequivalent groups. Each group consisted of 10 cows. Group A were fed with TMR. Group B received TMR and 100 grams perhead/day FPKM (FPKM, probiotics Bacillus spp. and mollases). The cows were given TMR daily which consisted of 20 kg per headof fresh Napier grass, 5 kg per head palm kernel meal, 1 kg per head soya bean meal, 1 kg per head corn, 0.5 kg per head molassesand 0.5 kg per head of enalac. Feeding trial period was carried out for four weeks. Feed was given twice a day, morning and lateafternoon, meanwhile water was given adlibitum. Animals were given the same diet for seven days for an adaptation period.Milk was sampled twice a day for four weeks and were recorded accordingly. The average of daily and weekly milk productionwere calculated. The animals from Group B showed an improvement of milk production before trial to the fourth week from 5.2litres/head/day to 6.99 litres/head/day i.e. 14.80% to 34.44% as compared to Group A.

Investigation of peculiar features of productive and reproductive qualities (milk producing ability; reproductive qualities; live weight at different ages) of milking cows of white-and-black breed was realized in the conditions of CJSC Lipovtsy of Vitebsk region of the Republic of Belarus. On the basis of obtained results there was calculated the selective differential of milk yield and butter-fat yielding capacity which were increased by means of maternal and father's cattle; genetic progress through selection in reliance on generation and target standard for the analyzed herd, as well as the minimal requirements to first-calf heifer productivity.Research results showed that average milk yield in the analyzed herd was 5204 kg with average butterfat percentage 3,59%; for first-calf heifers – 4838 kg with butter-fat yield of 3,47%. Productivity of first-calf heifers and cows was higher than the standard valuation requirements to milk yield on 1350-1588 kg

The necessity of creation of the optimal conditions for production of high-quality dairy products was conditional upon the fact that milk is very unstable by its chemical and physical indicators biological liquid. There is no point in improving milk quality after the realized production. Results of the realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus evaluation of milk according to the sanitary and hygienic indices for the further improvement of its quality were presented. According to the data on milk purchasing it noted that in Belarus there was stated a noticeable reduction of milk quality in accordance with its grade of quality. Throughout the last years the relative density of realization of the premium quality milk was less than 50% (46,5% - in 2005, 48% - in 2006), and at the same time, the volume of sales of the second second-rate quality milk reduced on 7,6%, and volume of off-grade milk - on 0,7%. Milk quality at the studied in course of investigation dairy farms in the majority of cases was conditional upon such indicators as base-titratable acidity, bacterial number and quantity of somatic cells in milk. Titrate acidity indices in over than 36% of milk does not correspond in to standards of the Republic of Belarus. Evaluation of bacterial number in the produced milk showed that its main production volume (65,2%) corresponded to the first and second grades and 6,7% were off-grade quality. Somatic cells content in the studied milk samples in 27% corresponded to the extra fine grade, and only about 2% of the analysed milk samples corresponded to off-grade milk

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus the seasonal derangements of metabolic processes at high-producing cows usually take place in the period from March till May. Analysis of efficiency of application of national preparation CMP (complex-mineral preparation -iron (15 mg/ml); iodine (6,8 mg/ml); magnesium (6,0 mg/ml); selenium (0,32 mg/ml) and vitamin preparation Trivitim (vitamin A – 30000 IU; , vitamin D – 40000 IU; vitamin E – 20 mg) for the preserving of high milking yielding capacity and prevention of metabolic processes disorders was realized. Four groups of high productive cows were formed. First group was entered 10 ml of CMP intramuscular; cows of the second group were entered 10 ml of Trivitim intramuscular; cows of the third group were entered CMP and Trivitim in the same doses; and the fourth group was a controlled one. On the 1-st, 7-th and 15-th days there was realized evaluation animal clinical state, hematologic and biochemical blood indexes (leukocytes; erythrocytes; hemoglobin; thrombocytes; ESR; total protein; albumins; urea; creatinine; glucose; calcium; phosphorous; magnesium; iron), and average daily milk yield. There was also analyzed the phagocytic activity of neutrophilic leukocytes. Research results showed that content of leukocytes and ESR in blood in all experimental groups was within the standard limits. In the first experimental group there was state the increasing of hemoglobin (from 91,4 +/- 4,38 up to 111,83 +/- 4,3 g/l (P less than0,05) ) and erythrocytes (from 4,48 +/- 0,21 up to 5,97 +/- 0,45 10E12/l) content. The same changes were stated in cows of the 2-d and 3-d experimental groups. Content of hemoglobin and erythrocyte in blood of cows which were administrated with CMP and Trivitim increased from 90,6 +/- 0,06 to 99,83 +/- 3,61 g/l and from 4,51 +/- 0,27 to 5,55 +/- 0,28 10E12/l, respectively. Analyze of biochemical indexes of cow blood showed that content of total protein, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron increased. On the 15-th day there was stated the decrease of urea. Research results proved that the combined application of CMP and Trivitim was efficient and prevented subclinical disorders of metabolic processes

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus there was realized a comparative study of peculiar features of influence of combined application of Khelavit preparation and protein-vitamin-mineral feed supplements Khendriks and Spaeta-kontsentrat on health status of cows and quality of obtained cow milk after application of these preparation for the preventive treatment of osteodystrophy. In course of study there were analyzed haematologic and biochemical blood indexes of cows after application of the experimental preparations. Results of physical and chemical indexes of milk were presented. Research results showed that the analyzed protein, vitamin and mineral feed supplements caused the normalization of biochemical blood indexes in comparison with animal of a control group. Besides, application of mentioned above drugs promoted the increasing of veterinary and sanitary quality and technological properties of produced milk.

Factors which increased milk productivity (age and continuance of service period) were studied in the conditions of an educational establishment of the Republic of Belarus by an example of cows of black-and-white breed. Dynamics of growth of milk productivity in course of 8 research years was presented. Analysis of interrelation between cow productivity and cow age was given. Mathematical calculation of relations between cow productivity indexes (milk yield, fat content, butter fat) and service period duration was given. Research results showed that increasing of an average term of economic use of cows and decreasing of duration of service period up to 90 days made it possible to increase dairy effiiemcy and herd reproduction, as well as obtain higher economic efficiency