The type of cells concerning this workshop is somatic cells . Somatic cells are equipped with a variety of tools to accomplish these functions. These somatic cells are constantly circulating in the blood stream and when infection or udder damage occurs, the body then sends high numbers of them to the injured or infected site. Goat milk is produced in the udder, which contains two mammary glands. Each lobule contains up to 200 alveoli.
Capillaries bring the milk building blocks to alveoli cells for milk assembling.
It is important to mention that milk secretion in goats is different to that of cows. Apocrine secretion results in the shedding of nucleated and non-nucleated cytoplasmic particles into milk. One generally accepted conclusion is that the concentration of somatic cells, in the milk, is directly related to the infection status of the udder. All other possible factors are of lesser consequence. Inflammation can and does result in the loss of function characterized in mastitis by lowered milk production.