Many producers have successfully strived to lower herd somatic cell counts. Somatic cells are white blood cells or body defense cells whose primary functions are to eliminate infections and repair tissue damage. These cells are constantly circulating in the blood stream. When infection, irritation or damage occurs, the body then sends high quantities of somatic cells to the injured site. Their purpose is to phagocytize or engulf and destroy bacteria, flooding the infected site until most of the organisms are destroyed.
Lymphocytes are another important somatic cell type.
Although they are a small percentage of the total mammary cells, they may play a major role. Somatic cells and the immune response are very specific. Therefore, high somatic cell counts indicate mammary infection and the body is responding by sending somatic cells to the mammary gland to fight the infection and repair tissue damage. One objective of the trial was to determine if low SCC cows on initial DHIA test in first lactation were at higher risk to mastitis infections as compared to cows with moderate or high SCC on initial test. Data was comprised from 30 herds and 3432 first lactation animals, Milk, fat, and SCC measures were obtained from monthly DHI samples.