Bulls blood indicates resistance
3 December 1999
Bulls blood indicates resistance
BLOOD sampling bulls could give an indication of their daughters resistance to mastitis even before they calve.
A study at Glasgow University has identified an indexing system based on the speed at which blood cells multiply. This can indicate their response to mastitis bacteria, said James Booth.
"Under the system, a high indexing bull produces low cell count pro-geny, which means there is ultimately a lower incidence of mastitis."
Although many bulls are likely to be within an acceptable range, this could allow any bulls whose daughters are more susceptible to mastitis to be identified, he added. Work is due for completion early next year. *
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