What properties does the California Mastitis Test assess in milk?

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Multiple Choice

What properties does the California Mastitis Test assess in milk?

Explanation:
The test hinges on changes in viscosity of milk when a reagent lyses somatic cells. In milk from an inflamed udder, more somatic cells release their contents, especially DNA, causing the mixture to thicken and form a gel. The strength of that gel—the increased viscosity—correlates with higher somatic cell counts and likely mastitis, so viscosity is the readout you use to assess udder health. Other milk properties like lactose, minerals, fat, protein, color, odor, or pH aren’t what this test measures, which is why viscosity is the key idea.

The test hinges on changes in viscosity of milk when a reagent lyses somatic cells. In milk from an inflamed udder, more somatic cells release their contents, especially DNA, causing the mixture to thicken and form a gel. The strength of that gel—the increased viscosity—correlates with higher somatic cell counts and likely mastitis, so viscosity is the readout you use to assess udder health. Other milk properties like lactose, minerals, fat, protein, color, odor, or pH aren’t what this test measures, which is why viscosity is the key idea.

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