ABSTRACT
Several predisposing factors are described for mammary diseases or secondary disorders that compromise the quality and productivity of milk from females in different species. The phenotypic characteristics of the udder are considered in the economic evaluation of a female goat, whether for production potential, or as the genealogical record for these females. The limitation of studies correlating these features with the udder health raises doubt about the meaning of the conformation to the health and productivity of the mammary gland. Therefore, this study aimed to list the parameters of the udder conformation with the cellularity of the mammary gland checked by California Mastitis Test (CMT) and somatic cell count (SCC) in 80 Saanen goats without alterations in the clinical examination of the mammary gland or the Tamis test. It was observed that most of the phenotypic parameters of the udder did not influence the CCS, being considered purely esthetic. The circumference and udder depth showed negative correlation with the cellularity and moderate to high heritability traits can be considered parameters for genetic selection of goats.
goat; somatic cell count; milk quality; mammary gland
