D. Panayotov, T. Iliev, N. Naydenova, D. Pamukova, M. Simeonov

Abstract. The aim of the study was to investigate somatic cell count and milk composition from Pleven Black head breed of sheep. A total of 96 ewes on first lactation were used belonging to the flock of the village of Komarevo, Pleven district. The studied animals – daughters of six rams from 2 lines, were fed year round in a barn (November-March) and pasture period (April-October). A total of 384 individual milk samples were taken at four selection controls. The milk composition – fat, protein, casei, lactose, solids-non-fat and dry matter was established by Milko-Skan 104 (A/S Foss Elektric, Denmark). The total number of the somatic cells was established by an Ekoscope SCC automated system (Bulteh 2000, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria). The results of this investigation showed that the studied animals had very good milk quality indices. The milk of line 522 animals had significantly higher dry matter, solids-non-fat, fat, protein, casein and lactose content in comparison to those of line 32. For all studied milk indicators the daughters of ram No.33 in line 32 showed the highest average values whereas those of ram No.321 belonging to the same line had the lowest. The average somatic cell count of the milk in the studied animals was very low – 66 254 cells/ml. Minimum variation was established in respect to average SCC values of the milk in both lines but very large between the individual rams.