Association of subclinical mastitis prevalence with sheep breeds in Greece

Objective was to describe potential associations of subclinical mastitis with sheep breeds in Greece. A countrywide survey (2,198 ewes in 111 farms) was performed. Prevalence of subclinical mastitis was 0.260. Results did not indicate difference in prevalence of subclinical mastitis between farms with pure-bred and farms with cross-bred animals, nor difference in prevalence between farms with Greek pure-bred animals and farms with imported pure-bred animals. Results indicated that prevalence of subclinical mastitis was smaller in farms with Assaf-breed (0.100) and higher in farms with Frisarta-breed (0.625) (P<0.02). Prevalence of mastitis was smaller in farms with Greek traditional indigenous breeds (0.221) (P=0.007). In a model that included sheep breed and management system in farm, breed emerged of significance for prevalence of subclinical mastitis (P=0.003).