Fifty raw ewe’s and goat’s milk samples (25 of each) were examined for total viable, psychrotrophic count and the presence of foodborne pathogenic microorganisms. The obtained results revealed that the mean total bacterial counts/ml were 1.9 x103 and 1.4 x103 in the examined samples, respectively. Psychrotrophic bacteria could be detected in all examined samples (100.0 %) with mean values of 7.8 x10 and 6.3 x10/mL, respectively. Staphylococci, Enterococci, and E. coli , were detected in (52.0 & 84.0 %), (44.0 & 36.0 %) and (36.0 & 44.0 %) of the examined samples with mean values/ml of (7.2 x10 & 6.1 x10), (2.5 x10 & 2.4 x10) and (3.0 x10 & 2.1x10), respectively. The predominant isolated bacterial strains were Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium and E. coli, at percentages of (24.3 & 19.2 %), (16.2 & 32.7 %), (10.8 & 13.5 %), (19.0 & 17.3 %) and (29.7 & 17.3 %) of total isolates, respectively. On the other hand, Clostridium perfringens, Campylobacter jejuni, Corynebacterium bovis and Salmonellae failed to be detected in all examined samples. The sanitary and public health importance of these organisms as well as preventive measures to improve the quality of milk and safeguard the consumers from infection were discussed.

Several factors can affect bovine mammary gland health and although bacterial mastitis is the most studied and reported cause, viral infections may also have negative effects on bovine udder health. Viral infections can indirectly damage the papillary duct of the teat, and induce or exacerbate signs of bovine mastitis due to viral-induced immunosuppressive effects that may lead to a greater susceptibility to bacterial mastitis and even intensify the severity of established bacterial infections. Some viruses (Bovine alphaherpesvirus 2, cowpox, pseudocowpox, foot-and-mouth disease, vesicular stomatitis and papillomavirus) affect the integrity of the udder skin, leading to teat lesions, favoring the entry of mastitis-causing pathogens. It is therefore possible that the association between mastitis and viruses is underestimated and may, for example, be associated with negative bacterial culture results. Few milk samples are tested for the presence of viruses, mainly because of the more laborious and expensive procedures required. Furthermore, samples for virus testing would require specific procedures in terms of collection, handling and storage. Thus, there is a knowledge gap in regard to the actual impact of viruses on bovine udder health. Despite the fact that serum anti-virus antibodies can be detected, there is not enough evidence to confirm or exclude the effect of viruses on udder health. However, any expectation of milk production from healthy animals should consider the possible impact of viral infections in mastitis development and not underestimate the importance of actions to diagnose and control the disease. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to describe the association of diagnosis and control of viral diseases and their effect on bovine udder health.

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.

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.

OBJECTIVE To investigate effects of metoclopramide orally administered to healthy bitches on serum prolactin and milk lactose concentrations, gross energy, and dry matter content and on puppy weight gain during early lactation. ANIMALS 20 client-owned bitches and their 121 puppies. PROCEDURES 10 bitches received metoclopramide (0.2 mg/kg, PO, q 6 h for 6 days; treatment group) starting 10 to 24 hours after birth of the last puppy of the litter (day 0), and 10 bitches served as the control group. Blood and milk samples from all bitches were collected on days 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6. Milk samples for days 1 and 2 and days 4 and 6 were pooled because of small volume. Puppies were weighed twice daily. RESULTS Serum prolactin concentration increased significantly over time in both groups, and no treatment effect was detected. When day-to-day changes were analyzed, the prolactin concentration increased from day 0 to day 1 in the treatment group but not in the control group. Milk lactose concentration increased significantly and was higher in the treatment group than in the control group. Milk dry matter content was unchanged, whereas the time course for milk gross energy content differed significantly between treatment and control bitches. Puppy weight gain was not affected by metoclopramide treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Oral administration of metoclopramide to healthy bitches after parturition induced a transient increase in serum prolactin concentration and stimulated milk lactose production. It is likely bitches with insufficient or delayed milk production could benefit from metoclopramide treatment.