Relation between mastitis test score, mineral composition of milk, and blood electrolyte profiles in Holstein cows.

The relationship between mastitis, mineral composition of milk, and blood electrolyte profiles was investigated in 54 Holstein cows. Sodium potassium, calcium, magnesium, and chloride in blood and milk were compared under two indices of mastitis, a milk quality test and a milk somatic cell count. Milk from cows with evidence of udder infection had higher sodium and chloride and lower potassium than cows free of mastitis. Although there was a correlation between blood calcium and milk calcium and between milk calcium and milk somatic cell count, as well as differences in mean potassium and calcium in blood between mastitic and nonmastitic cows, there was no direct relationship between the indices of mastitis and electrolyte profiles of blood.