Somatic (CSS) and differential cell count (DCC) during a lactation period in ass'milk

Hypoallergenic properties of ass's milk protein fractions have been recently confirmed, allowing ass's milk to be considered as a valid substitute of the available hypoallergenic infant formulas. The objective of this study was to give a further contribution to the knowledge of ass's milk safety and quality characteristics. A new procedure has been developed with a cytospin centrifuge in differential counts of milk somatic cells. Somatic cells count (SCC), differential somatic cells count (DCC) and cultural examinations have been carried out in 62 milk samples collected from 11 asses at three different stages of lactation. Four major cells populations had been identified in ass's milk too: lymphocytes (Ly), monocytes/macrophages (MA), polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNL), and epithelial cells (CE). The patterns of these cells have been discussed in comparison with cells found in dairy cows and ewes milk. In conclusion, a reproducible standard procedure has been developed to determine cell count of ass's milk.