Evaluation of Somatic Cells Count, Antioxidants and Antimicrobial Proteins in Milk Samples Obtained from Different Breeds of the Dromedary Camel

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the relations between somatic cells count (SSC), antioxidants, and antimicrobial proteins in milk samples obtained from Waddah, Sofor, and Majaheem breeds of the dromedary camel. High-SCC milk samples contained >300x103 cells/mL. The milk levels of catalase (CAT) were significantly increased in the Waddah breed compared to the Sofor and Majaheem breeds (P≤0.05). In the Waddah breed, the CAT levels were also significantly elevated in the high-SCC milk samples compared to the low-SCC milk samples (P≤0.001). The Superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were significantly elevated in the high-SCC milk samples compared to the low-SCC milk samples in the Sofor and Majaheem breeds (P≤0.001 and P≤0.05, respectively). Significant reduction in the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was observed in the high-SCC milk samples of the Sofor and Majaheem breeds (P≤0.001 and P≤0.05, respectively). The milk levels of lactoferrin (LTF) and lactoperoxidase (LPO) were significantly reduced in the Waddah group compared to the Sofor and Majaheem groups (P≤0.01). The LTF levels were significantly elevated in the milk samples with low SCC compared to the high-SCC samples in the Waddah and Sofor breeds (P≤0.01 and P≤0.05, respectively). No significant differences were observed among the examined breeds concerning the milk levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG). Only in the Majaheem breed, the milk IgG levels were significantly increased in the high-SCC samples compared to low-SCC ones (P≤0.001). The current study adds to our understanding of dromedary camel milk and reveals possible biomarkers for both healthy camels and camels with subclinical mastitis.