Non-Pathogenic Factors Affecting Somatic Cell Counts of Goat Milk

산양유의 체세포수에 영향을 미치는 비병원성 요인

Somatic cell counts (SCCs) of goat milk can vary widely depending on the counting methods used and non-pathogenic factors; the goat milk industry can be threatened by establishment of a legal standard based on the findings in cow milk. In Korea, SCCs have been excluded from the items that are analyzed under the "Livestock Products Processing and Composition Standards" in accordance with a recent NVRQS Notice amendment. From April to October, SCCs of 150 goat milk samples from 2 farms were analyzed using a Somascope calibrated with standard goat milk samples. Average SCCs of the samples was 598,000/mL, and significant differences were not found between farms and between breeds. SCCs increased from 3 to 8 months after delivery.