In order to evaluate the electronic counting of somatic cell count by flow citometry, 48 raw milk samples from Holstein cows and 5 bulk tank samples were analyzed for somatic cells counting. The mean of somatic cells counting (SCC) for raw milk samples were 353,000 cells/ml (5.55log cells/ml) using the standard methods and 328,000 cells/ml (5.52log cells/ml), using electronic equipment. For the bulk tank samples the SCC means were 382.000 cells/ml (5.58log cells/ml) using the direct microscopic and 329.000 cells/ml (5.52log cells/ml) using the electronic equipment. The differences between values obtained by both analytical methods were not significant (P>0.05). Additionally, the quality of the American and Canadian standard samples was evaluated by determination of the SCC, using the reference methods to compare to the results issued by the supplier laboratory.
direct microscopic; somatic cell count; electronic somatic cell count; milk quality
