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Somatic cells are excreted in milk during the normal milking process and are used as an index to assess the milk quality of dairy animals worldwide.

 

Counting of somatic cells in milk and analysis of their viability

When the number of somatic cells increases, the yield and quality of milk decreases, which underlines the need for reliable monitoring of the concentration of somatic cells in milk. Good hygiene and proper nutrition can help reduce their numbers. Milk that is low in somatic cells means higher quality dairy products with a longer shelf life.

The somatic cells that are counted are usually leukocytes as they make up the majority of the somatic cells in milk. The concentration of leukocytes in milk increases when the immune response is enhanced, for example, with mastitis (inflammation of the lacteos gland) caused by pathogenic bacteria. Other factors can also influence the number of somatic cells, for example, changes in the composition of milk after calving, when the concentration of cells increases.

Measuring the concentration of somatic cells is an important step in milk quality control. If the number of somatic cells in the sample exceeds certain limits, the milk is not suitable for sale. 

Within the EU, the limit is 400.000 cells/ml, whereas the limit is 750.000 cells/ml in the US.

NucleoCounter SCC-100 Somatic Cell Analyzer from ChemoMetec

somatic cell analyzer

The NucleoCounter SCC-100 Somatic Cell Analyzer from ChemoMetec is based on proven technology that utilizes fluorescence imaging cytometry (fluorescence microscopy). Image cytometry is a well-known cell analysis technique based on recording an image of a sample and detecting and analyzing the cells in it. This approach is closely related to the method of manual microscopy, when the process of analyzing a liquid sample is automated within a computerized system.

Low optical magnification allows you to analyze a large sample volume in a single image. To identify fluorescent DNA in the nucleus of cells, the image is passed through analysis and quantification software.

The SCC-100 Somatic Cell Analyzer accurately measures the number of somatic cells, combining easy-to-use technology with a unique system that prevents operator error on results. This makes it the ideal tool for every quality-oriented company and research center.

Analysis procedure with NucleoCounter SCC-100

The SCC-Cassette disposable sampling and measuring device is used to load a milk sample into the instrument, which eliminates sample handling errors and is easy to use. Each cassette contains immobilized propidium iodide (PI) in the internal flow channels. Loading approximately 60 μL of the sample mixture into the cassette dissolves propidium iodide and mixes it with the cell sample, staining the nuclei of the somatic cells. Reagent C is used with the cassette. Simply add the reagent to the sample, load the sample into the instrument and get results within 30 seconds. The measurement range is from 1 × 104 cells/ml to 2 × 106 cells/ml with an optimal range from 1 × 104 cells/ml to 1 × 106 cells/ml.

The software supplied with the instrument accurately detects and analyzes individual cells for accurate and objective results.

AquaAnalytics® is the official representative of ChemoMetec in Russia and the CIS. For detailed information, please contact us by phone or e-mail and our managers will contact you as soon as possible.

Representative office in Russia: +7 (495) 201-53-02 info@aquaanalytics.ru

Representative office in Uzbekistan: +998 (90) 174-57-84 info@aquaanalytics-tekhnika.ru



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