The aim of the study was to verify whether transferrin (Tf) and haemoglobin (Hb) genotypes found in milked sheep may be genetic markers for total bacterial count (TBC) and somatic cell count (SCC) in sheep milk. Moreover, the effect of both markers on basic milk components was also analyzed. Investigations were conducted in the years 20042006 in the Zotniki farm, belonging to the Poznan University of Life Sciences. It was found that in ewes having transferrin genotype Tf BP, somatic cell count in milk (10(3)/cm(3)) was significantly higher (log SCC= 6.26) than in milk of ewes with genotypes Tf BB, Tf AD and Tf CC, being 4.56, 4.76 and 5.04, respectively. The lowest total bacterial count (103/cm(3)) was found in milk of ewes with transferrin genotype Tf CE (log TBC= 3.87). Ewes with genotype Tf 1313 also exhibited low total bacterial count in milk, being log TBC= 4.35. Contents (%) of protein, fat and dry matter in milk of ewes having different transferrin genotypes varied. Statistical analysis of the effect of haemoglobin genotype on somatic cell count in milk showed that in ewes with the genotype Hb AB, somatic cell count was significantly lower (log SCC= 4.96) in comparison to that of ewes having genotype Hb BB (5.62). The lowest total bacterial count was recorded in ewes with genotype Hb BB (log TBC= 4.51). Results of this study indicate that due to their biological function transferrin genotypes as well as haemoglobin genotypes may be useful as additional criteria in the classification of ewes for milking in order to obtain milk with the highest hygienic value.
