Cell count and Schalm test results of milk from dairy sheep with healthy udders during the course of a complete lactation
Regi, G.; Honegger, R.; Buchi, S.; Segessemann, V.; Rusch, P.
Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde 133(2): 75-80
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7281 PMID: 2047833 Document Number: 381554
The somatic cell count (SCC) was determined in 28 milk sheep with normal udder health using the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and a fluoro-opto-electronic cell counter (Partec Counter). The examinations were made at two week intervals throughout the lactation period. 92% of the premilking samples had a negative CMT reaction and in 0.5% of the samples the reaction was distinctly positive. In 95% of the premilking samples the SCC showed less than 200,000/ml and in 95% of the individual total milkings it was less than 350,000/ml. Elevated SCC were common towards the end of lactation when milk yield was low.