In this study, there was a comparison of SCC from paired milk samples of 86 goats by the electronic method (Somacount 300) calibrated with cow milk standard, with the pyronin Y-methyl green stain direct microscopic method. The goats were of Saanen and Toggenburg breeds from a farm located at the Zona da Mata of the Minas Gerais State. In addition, was evaluated the effect of Bronopol® on the SCC in goat milk was evaluated. For the unpreserved 86 milk samples, the SCC mean determined with the microscopic method was smaller and differed (p <FONT FACE=Symbol>£</FONT> 0.05) from that obtained with the Somacount 300 calibrated with cow milk. However, the SCC mean of the 86 milk samples with Bronopol® did not differ between the two methods (p>0.05). The estimated SCC curve for the microscopic in function to the Somacount significant with high correlation, demonstrating the possibility of using the Somacount 300 calibrated with cow milk for counting somatic cells in goat milk preserved with Bronopol® within the range of SCC analyzed in this study.
goat milk; microscopic somatic cell count; eletronic somatic cell count
