Methodology of udder description and the effect on somatic cell count in Czech White Shorthaired goat breed

This study evaluated the effect of the linearly described shape traits of goat udders on somatic cell count. In a herd of 487 white shorthaired goats, seven traits (udder symmetry, udder depth, udder width, teat length, teat placement, rear udder attachment and udder cleft) were assessed in relation to somatic cell count in milk. The average somatic cell count was 1.3 mill cells/ml when considering the environmental effects (month and year of performance testing, lactation number. The somatic cell count is influenced by the depth (p = 0.0015) and width (p = 0.0268) of the udder. The results demonstrate that some traits of the udder shape influence the somatic cell count and can be considered as functional traits indicating animal health and herd profitability. After further studies, the methodology for linear description of the udder could be used for other dairy goat breeds, not only in the Czech Republic.