The effect of udder health on mineral concentrations and fatty acid composition of alpine goat milk *

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the concentrations of minerals and fatty acid content in milk of of multiparous Alpine goats (n=38). Milk samples for analyses were taken at four sampling times during the lactation period only in the evening milking (DIM: 56, 118, 196 and 224 days) from the fully milked udder, thus 152 milk samples were collected. Somatic cell counts (SCC) and milk constituents (fat, protein, lactose) were investigated from milk samples and the prevalence of pathogen bacteria presence was determined by bacteriological tests. In this study only mastitis free samples were analysed for their contents of minerals (Ca, K, Na, Mg, Zn and chlorine) and fatty acid composition. Samples were divided into two groups by somatic cell count: below 400.000 somatic cells/ml (n=19) and above 1.000.000 somatic cells/ml (n=20). The somatic cell counts have significant effects on milk composition, mineral and fatty acid contents of the milk. Milk quality parameters gradually changed in the samples above 1.000.000 cells/ml. Concentrations of the milk fat content, Na, Mg, and chlorine increased (P<0.05), while the lactose content and Zn concentration decreased. Furthermore, the udder health had great effect on the short and medium chain fatty acids de novo synthesis in the mammary gland. The unfavourable udder health status resulted in the reduced secretory activity of mammary epithelium, leading to lower concentrations of short and medium chain fatty acids in milk fat in the high SCC group. These results suggest that the higher SSC is associated with disadvantageous milk properties, which significantly reduced milk quality.