Aim:Somatic cell count (SCC) is the most widely used single reliable indicator of udder health. The present study was carried out with an objective to find the exact threshold of SCC.Materials and Methods:Milk samples collected from a total of 214 Holstein Friesian crossbred dairy animals were subjected to bacterial DNA extraction and SCC estimation by digital PortaCheck. California Mastitis Test and polymerase chain reaction based on amplification of organism using reported primers were performed to diagnose subclinical mastitis. Receiver’s operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and discriminate function analyses were performed using SPSS 18 software.Results:ROC curve analysis represented that the area under the curve was 0.930 with the standard error of 0.02. Results indicated that 93% of the case could be correctly predicted as mastitis infected using SCC as a marker (p<0.001). At cut score level of 282 000 cells/ml, 285,000 cells/ml and 288,000 cells/ml, sensitivity remained 92.6% and specificity augmented as 86.3%, 87.2%, and 88%, respectively. At SCC value of 310,000 cells/ml of milk, sensitivity and specificity were optimal, namely, 92.6% and 91.5%, respectively. The function fitted demonstrated 89.2% accuracy with p<0.001. The functions at group centroids were −0.982 and 1.209, respectively, for normal and mastitis-infected animals and log_SCC value was the most important factor contributing 38.30% of the total distance measured.Conclusion:Our study supports that the threshold value to delineate subclinical mastitis case from the normal is 310,000 somatic cells/ml of milk and a model so fitted using the variable SCC can be successfully used in field for the diagnosis of subclinical cases of mastitis which otherwise would be difficult to differentiate based on clinical signs.

The present investigation was carried out in Deoni cattle maintained at cattle breeding farm, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Udgir Dist-Latur to see the influence of various non-genetic factors on production and reproduction traits. The breeding tract of Deoni breed is the 714.26±69.72 litres, 214.52±43.25 days, 204.77±32.86 days, 489.23±36.83 days, 284.89±31.92 days and 288.83±10.29 days, respectively. Service period had highly significant (p<0.01)

The major alteration in the milk composition due to mastitis includes presence of somatic cells (neutrophills, monocytes, macrophages and mammary epithelial cells), bactericidal and bacteriostatic compounds and certain enzymes. Antibiotic residue violation and presence of foodborn pathogens with/without their toxins is another threat of immense importance. These changes in the milk account for the deterioration of the milk quality, risk of health hazards and also its acceptance in the international market. Of all these components, milk somatic cells are the single most widely used indicator of the udder health and mastitis. Somatic cell count (SCC) is used as a system for measurement of milk quality internationally. Strict legislation for monitoring the minimum SCC level is followed to ensure healthy milk in most of the developed countries. This paper introduces the concept of 'Clean White Revolution' and reviews the importance of SCC as a measure to ensure hygienic milk production in India. It also emphasizes upon a need to strengthen the existing legislations concerned.

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