Analysis of relationship between sows colostrum and milk somatic cell count and reproductive performance traits

Abstract

Summary. The relationship between the major chemical constituents and somatic cell count (SCC) in sows colostrum and milk and the rearing results of piglets was analyzed. The studies involved 20 crossbred Polish Large White (PLW)  Polish Landrace (PL) sows in the second and third reproduction cycles. The chosen reproductive performance traits were plotted against the level of each chemical composition component and the SCC of colostrum (1 lactation day) and milk (7 lactation day). The chemical composition of sows colostrum and milk as well as the SCC estimates proved to be significantly modified by the lactation stage and season. It was also found that a higher share of the major components of sows colostrum and milk with the lower SCC favored the higher litter size and piglet usability for rearing expressed as body weight and daily weight gains.