Bovine Milk Proteome: Milk Fat Globule Membrane Protein Is the Most Sensitive Fraction in Response to High Somatic Cell Count

The impacts of high milk somatic cell count (SCC) on different milk fractions are not well understood. In this study, proteins in milk exosomes, milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), and whey from cows with low (<105 cells/mL, CG) and high SCC (>5 x 105 cells/mL, HSG) were identified using a tandem mass tag proteomic approach. In total, 1568, 2160, and 1002 proteins were identified, with 65, 552, and 98 proteins being altered by high SCC in exosomes, MFGM, and whey, respectively. With high SCC, the exosome marker (ACTB) was increased in the exosomes of HSG. The main MFGM proteins (BTN1A1, PLIN3, FABP3, and MFGE8) and functional proteins (MUC1, IGSF5, TLR5, and CD36/14) were decreased, while the lipid/energy metabolism-related proteins were increased in the MFGM of HSG. The glycolysis-related proteins were increased in the whey of HSG. Also, the host defense/inflammation-related proteins were changed in three fractions under high SCCs. MFGM was the most sensitive fraction to a high SCC, followed by whey. These findings provide guidance for the early detection of unhealthy mammary glands.

Automated summary

The impacts of high milk somatic cell count (SCC) on the protein composition of milk exosomes, milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), and whey are significant, especially in the case of high SCC where there are noticeable changes in the proteins of exosomes and MFGM. These findings provide guidance for the early detection of unhealthy mammary glands.