Analise da contagem de celulas somáticas como ferramenta de predicação da mastite subclinica em cabras saanen

Abstract

Dairy goat farming has significant economic importance in the semi-arid Northeast of Brazil, especially in Paraíba, where goat milk is a source of income for small producers. Mastitis, particularly in its subclinical form, represents a major challenge, as it does not show evident clinical signs but compromises milk quality and causes significant economic losses. Somatic cell count (SCC) is widely used to monitor udder health; however, reference values are not yet well established for goats. The objective of this study was to evaluate SCC in milk smears from Saanen goats, approximately two months postpartum, and correlate it with microbiological results, aiming to propose criteria for the identification of subclinical mastitis. A total of 65 milk samples were analyzed, submitted to microbiological culture and direct cell counting in smears stained by the May-Grünwald Giemsa method. Of the total samples, 10 (15.4%) were positive in microbiological culture, with isolates of Staphylococcus spp. (60%) and Staphylococcus aureus (40%). No mammary half presented bacterial isolation in samples with SCC below 1.0 × 106 cells/mL. In samples with SCC between 1.0 × 106 and 2.0 × 106 cells/mL, 14.3% showed microbial growth, while values above 2.0 × 106 cells/mL reached 23.5% positivity. The prevalence found (15.4%) is in line with previous studies carried out in the Northeast, which report frequencies between 15 and 25%, indicating a uniform pattern in the region. These findings reinforce that high SCC values are associated with a higher risk of subclinical infection and should be interpreted in conjunction with microbiological examinations. Part of the samples with high SCC presented negative cultures, which may be related to physiological factors of the species and breed, as well as the intermittent release of pathogens. The results highlight the need to establish specific reference values for goats, considering racial and physiological variations, in order to improve the diagnosis of subclinical mastitis and contribute to the improvement of milk quality in the region.