Changes in somatic cell count of goat milk associated with udder health status

Abstract

Sixty (60) samples of goat milk from udder halves were analysed. The samples were grouped into Normal, Subclinical 1+, Subclinical 2+, Subclinical 3+ and Clinical, based on the score of California Mastitis Test (CMT). The average Somatic Cell Count (SCC) of milk was lowest (7.17 ± 0.11 x 105 cells/ml) in normal group and highest (48.62 ± 1.00 x 105 cells/ml) in Clinical group. The average SCC of milk for Subclinical 1+, Subclinical 2+ and Subclinical 3+ were 13.29 ± 0.56 x 105 cells/ml, 28.58 ± 0.66 x 105 cells/ml and 41.08 ± 0.50 x 105 cells/ml, respectively. These results indicated increase in SCC of milk with increase in the severity of the mastitis. As such, if the threshold level is established, the SCC of milk can be used as a diagnostic value for clinical and subclinical conditions of udder infections in does.