Abstract :
The relationship between milk somatic cell counts (SCCs), differential leukocytes
(macrophage, lymphocyte, and PMNs) and the influence of lactation on these parameters
in camel’s and cow’s milk was compared. Milk was separated into milk with
SCC≤105 cellsmL−1 (group 1) and milk with SCC≥105 cellsmL−1 (group 2). Somatic cell
counts and differential leukocytes were significantly correlated in both species and the two
SCC groups. In group 1, lymphocytes were the predominant cell type in camel’s milk and
macrophage in cow’s milk. In both species, PMNs were useful indicators to define either
uninfected or infected state in group 1 and group 2. In camel’s milk, PMN numbers were
higher immediately after parturition and declined gradually with advanced lactation, while
macrophages number increased through lactation. In cow’s milk, PMNs were the dominant
cell type at the beginning of the lactation and tended to maintain high levels as lactation progressed.
Our results suggest that in some aspects the immune system of camels mammary
gland differs from that of bovine.
