EN
The aim of the study was to estimate the effect of some dipping solutions on the cytological quality of milk and to compare the efficacy of the effect of these preparations in relation to the age of the cows and the lactation period. Data were collected on the somatic cell count in milk from test milkings of 123 cows over 4 successive months. The effect of dipping and type of disinfectant (iodine, chlorhexidine, lactic acid) on the cytological quality of milk was determined according to the age of cows and period of lactation. Statistical analysis showed that dipping had a favorable effect on the cytological quality of milk during the successive months of the study. The type of dipping solution caused minor differences in the somatic cell count and in the proportion of samples with particular somatic cell counts. A slightly better cytological quality of milk and a higher proportion of milk samples showing very good udder health (≤100 000 KS in 1 ml) were found when iodine or chlorhexidine solutions were used. The effect of dipping on the cytological quality of milk was greater for multiparous cows than first calvers. Where no dipping was used, there was a very high proportion of mastitic milk samples that failed to meet the raw milk standards required by milk collection centers (approx. 56% for the milk of first calvers and over 85% for the milk of multiparous cows). The use of dipping had a beneficial effect on the cytological quality of milk in all lactation periods.