Evaluation of local massage on milk production and udder immunity of cows

Somatic cell count (SCC) is one of the most important factors about milk hygiene. It is known as an indicator of breast inflammation. Massage improves level of cellular immunity. This investigation aimed to evaluate the effect of massage on udder immune system according to SCC and milk production. For this purpose, 14 cows were chosen in the same age (three years old) which all of them were high-producing one. Every single cow had given birth three months ago. Then, cows were divided into test and control groups. Test group were given massage twice a day for four weeks. During investigation, rate of SCC was measured one time every week. The rate of milk production in the first week in which no massage was operated and in the sixth week which was the last week of massaging, were evaluated. Results show dramatic increase of SCC but it was not significant (p>0.05) but, the decrease of milk production was significant (p < 0.05) in test group. SCC difference weren’t significant between test and control group in except in third week. In this study there weren’t any significant relations (p>0.05) between milk production and SCC but the difference average of milk yield between control and test group at the end of the sixth week compared to the first week was significant (p < 0.05). Results shows that long-term massage is stressful and decrease the level of udder immunity and this cause decrease milk production.