SOMATIC-CELL COUNT AND CMT RESULTS IN MILK SHEEP WITH NORMAL UDDER HEALTH DURING A COMPLETE LACTATION PERIOD

The somatic cell count (SCC) was determined in 28 milk sheeps 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.