Observational study reveals subclinical milk calcification associated with elevated somatic cell counts in dairy cows, suggesting ultrasound misses significant mammary tissue pathology.
Milk calcification within mammary acini is an uncommon histopathological finding in dairy cows, potentially affecting glandular function and milk quality. This study aimed to characterize milk calcification in udder quarters of cows removed from production. A total of 104 mammary complexes from 26 cows were examined. Ultrasonography revealed normal parenchymal appearance in all quarters, while histopathology detected calcifications in a substantial proportion of samples. Milk calcification was classified as mild, moderate or severe, ranging from small isolated deposits to massive lumen-filling mineralized masses with epithelial degeneration. Mean somatic cell count (SCC) increased with calcification severity, suggesting a link with the local inflammatory response. The findings indicate that milk calcification may remain undetected by ultrasonography, yet represents a significant pathological alteration in the mammary gland. Histopathological evaluation is essential for accurate assessment of udder health and for understanding the potential impact of mineralized deposits on milk production.
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Davidov et al. (2026) studied this question.
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