Determination of Somatic Cell Number in Milk

Mastitis is a disease that can occur in dairy cattle and can cause great financial losses if precautions are not taken. The healthiness and quality of milk offered for human consumption in terms of food safety is related to the health of the animal's udder.

Indicator of mastitis disease in cattle Somatic Cell Number is determined in milk. Somatic cells, defined among the defense systems of the breast, pass from the blood into the milk and consist of a small amount of epithelial cell debris along with white blood cells. Breast health can be interpreted based on the number of somatic cells.

If the Somatic Cell Number in milk is above the relevant regulations and legal regulations, it is a risk for human health. It also causes quality problems in milk processing. It is an indicator of loss of milk production.

Factors Affecting the Number of Somatic Cells
- Udder inflammation
- Age of the animal
- Lactation period
- Stress of the animal
- Daily changes