Cell count - A Measure of Udder Health

Milk always contains a certain number of cells. For a healthy cow this cell count is well under 100 000 cells.

Milk with an increased cell count (over 100 000 cells) comes from sick udders, which:

• produce lower quality milk
• produce less milk
• leads to high processing costs
• can lead to a reduced price for the milk
• are often the cause for the premature deterioration of the cows.

Highly increased milk cell count, large number of cells (cell nuclei) visible. Microscope photograph: magnified 1000x.

While automatic cell counting procedures succeed in determining the cell count in the milk being tested, the RAIDEX milk cell test provides a reliable test for monitoring the health of the udders of each individual cow, which is also easy to perform in the cowshed. Above a value of approx. 100 000 cells/ml there is a visible reaction of the test solution with the milk sample.

The time required for testing an udder (four quarters) is less than a minute. One bottle (1000 ml testing solution) is sufficient for approx. 100 applications.

When should you perform the milk test?

• For regular monitoring of udder health in the herd
• For identifying sick cows and quarters, which have caused complaints about the milk delivered and a withholding of quality payments because the cell count is too high
• When buying or selling lactating cows
• At the beginning: 10 to 14 days before the dry phase to test how the udder has withstood the lactation
• 8 days after calving to test how the udder has withstood the dry phase
• After the udder has been treated, to test whether healing has been successful

The test solution should be stored in a safe place well away from heat, light and cold. If the solution becomes cloudy because of the cold it must be warmed before use in order to restore its effectiveness.

In partnership with the University of Hohenheim we have investigated and identified the factors required to create the most precise and cost-effective milk cell test available.

Standard milk cell tests contain a chemical indicator. This is normally a dye which is used to determine a particular pH value. This value corresponds to the change in the colour of the dye.

However, due to the high pH value of standard milk tests, this property is useless and the function of the indicator is reduced to that of a very expensive dye. However, in order to improve the readability of the test results in the white testing bowls a dye is required to provide a contrast.

Standard milk cell tests are set to a very high pH value of approx. 11. This demands a great deal of care in handling the testing solution. In our research we discovered that the indicator has no influence on the precision of the test and the effect of the high pH value tends to be negative.

For many years we have had a colourless test in our range, alongside the standard milk cell tests, and it was easy to read in a black testing bowl (also available from us). In studies, this test uncovered and showed even the smallest differences.

We have built on this result: By adding dyes, which are also used in other areas for identifying animals, we have created a cost-effective alternative to the standard tests.
The result can also be read in a white testing bowl - yet without colouring it. In addition, the RAIDEX milk cell test 2003 is pH neutral, making it easier to handle.

How to perform the RAIDEX milk cell test:

• The first 2 or 3 squirts of milk must be put into a pre-milking container as these contain a higher level of germs and cells anyway.
• Milk a little milk from each quarter into the four corresponding testing bowl sections. Avoid foaming the milk.
• Tip the testing bowl enough that the milk can flow out and the base of the bowl is clearly visible.
  This reduction of the quantity being tested is necessary because the reaction can be interpreted better in a thin layer.
• Add approx. 2 ml of the testing solution to the milk in each testing bowl section. This is approx. the same amount of test solution as milk remaining in the test sections.
• Thoroughly mix the contents of each section by moving the bowl in a circular movement. The reaction takes place after just a few seconds and can be recorded in a list.
• Changes in consistency (gelling / forming little piles) allow you to draw conclusions about the cell count of the milk.
• Clean the testing bowl after using it by quickly swirling it in water.

Available:

• The cost-effective alternative:
  RAIDEX Milk Cell Test 2003 red, blue and colourless
• The tried and trusted standard milk cell test (mastitis test) with indicator red & violet
• Accessories:
  Test bowls in white & black for performing the milk test

Available in the following sizes:
250ml bottle, 500ml round bottle, 1l round bottle, 5l canister (round bottles with spray cap)