The relationship between the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and the somatic cells count (SCC) was studied in milk samples of 68 dairy goats of Anglo Nubian, Brown Alpine and Saanen breeds. The samples were collected twice a month, during seven months and tested by CMT, microbiological culture and SCC. Only milk samples negative in the microbiological examination were considered in the analysis. The results showed a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) between CMT and SCC (r = 0.63), and a negative correlation (p < 0.05) between CMT, SCC and daily milk production (r = -0.27 and r = -0.28). In the association between the CMT and SCC it was obtained a mean of 0.78 x 10(6) cell/ml for the negatives reactions (N, T and 1+) and 5.32 x 10(6) cell/ml for the positive reactions (2+ and 3+). The results showed that in order to avoid the false positives results, other diagnostic test must be done together with CMT test to evaluate the goat milk to detect subclinical infections.
Goats; Mastitis; California mastitis test; Somatic cells count
