An enzymatic cow immunity-targeted approach to reducing milk somatic cell count: 2. A study using lysozyme

The effects of the enzymatic approach to reducing the milk somatic cell count (SCC) have been examined. Bacterial lysozyme, a lytic carbohydrase, was used in this experiment as a model enzyme preparation. Twenty 2nd–3rd lactation Lithuanian black and white cows with a similar milk SCC [(600±150)×10 3 cells ml −1 ] and of a similar weight (550±50 kg) were involved in the study and were randomly allocated into three test groups ( n =5) and one control group. The enzyme was given to the test groups once daily with feed (each group of animals received a different dose) for ten successive days. Application of any of lysozyme doses tested (50, 100 or 200 mg kg wt −1 ) resulted in a reduction of milk SCC, the result obtained with the highest dose (200 mg kg wt −1 ) was statistically significant ( p