The significance of cells in bovine bulked milk supplies
Wright, C.L.
Veterinary Record 100(1): 8-9
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 835208 Document Number: 120795
The author discusses techniques for counting somatic cells in milk, and variations in results caused by inaccurate calibration of equipment, storage conditions, environmental conditions, different responses of the cows to infection, type of bacterial infection, severity of udder damage, stress, stage of lactation, age of herd, time of day, etc. Thus the relationship between bulked milk cell content, mastitis prevalence and bacterial isolation is never good, and a single estimate of the cell content of the herd milk is of little value. Routine monitoring of herds to identify those producing milk with a high cell content can be justified only if the results are acted upon by the milk producer to determine the reason for the high cell content.