Mastitis will increase which count in milk?

Study for the Milk – Borne Pathogens and Pasteurization Test. Explore flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and insights. Prepare for your certification exam!

Multiple Choice

Mastitis will increase which count in milk?

Explanation:
When mastitis occurs, the mammary gland becomes inflamed from infection, and the immune system responds by sending white blood cells into the milk to fight the invaders. This causes the milk’s somatic cell count to rise, with white blood cells—especially neutrophils—making up most of that increase. So the change in milk associated with mastitis is an elevated white blood cell count. Red blood cells, platelets, and the hematocrit are not the primary changes seen in milk during mastitis, since hematocrit is a blood parameter and platelets aren’t a key player in milk, leaving white blood cells as the component that increases.

When mastitis occurs, the mammary gland becomes inflamed from infection, and the immune system responds by sending white blood cells into the milk to fight the invaders. This causes the milk’s somatic cell count to rise, with white blood cells—especially neutrophils—making up most of that increase. So the change in milk associated with mastitis is an elevated white blood cell count. Red blood cells, platelets, and the hematocrit are not the primary changes seen in milk during mastitis, since hematocrit is a blood parameter and platelets aren’t a key player in milk, leaving white blood cells as the component that increases.

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