Associations between Mammary gland echotexture and milk composition in cows

Issue Date

11-2020

Abstract

Thirty clinically healthy Holstein‐Friesian cows underwent twice daily machine milking and ultrasonographic examinations of the udder just prior to and after milking. Digital ultrasonographic images of each udder quarter were subjected to computer‐assisted echotextural analyses to obtain mean numerical pixel values (NPVs) and pixel heterogeneity (PSD) of the mammary gland parenchyma. The average milk yield and pH were higher (p < 0.05) in the morning, whereas crude fat, total solids, solids non‐fat and citric acid content were higher (p < 0.05) during the evening milking period. Mean NPVs and PSDs of the mammary gland parenchyma were greater (p < 0.05) after than before milking. There were significant correlations among echotextural characteristics of the udder and protein percentage, lactose content and freezing point depression determined in the milk samples collected in the morning and crude protein, casein, lactose and solids non‐fat in the evening. Our results can be interpreted to suggest that computerized analysis of the mammary gland ultrasonograms has the makings of a technique for estimating non‐fat milk constituents in cows. However, future validating studies are necessary before this method can be employed in commercial settings and research. Moreover, significant inter‐quarter differences in udder echogenicity may necessitate further echotextural studies of separate quarters.

Source or Periodical Title

Animals (Basel)

Volume

10

Issue

11

Page

1-12

Document Type

Article

Physical Description

illustrations; tables

Language

English

Subject

Cow, Image analysis, Milk composition, Udder, Ultrasonography

Identifier

DOI:10.3390/ani10112005

Digital Copy

yes

En – AGROVOC descriptors

COW; IMAGE ANALYSIS; MILK COMPOSITION, UDDER; ULTRASONOGRAPHY

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