Effect of Temperature on the Reducing Activity of Leucocytes in Milk

Abstract

SOME investigations were carried out as to the possibility of milk from cows infected with mastitis having an increased reducing activity due to the number of leucocytes contained in it, and in consequence failing the Standard Routine Resazurin Test adopted by the Ministry of Agriculture for the grading of milk under the National Milk Testing and Advisory Scheme. During the course of this work, milk samples with a high leucocyte content were submitted to ten-minute and one-hour resazurin tests at 37°C. immediately after production, and then again after holding the milk overnight at different temperatures, so as to attempt to reproduce the varying atmospheric temperatures at which milk is held before testing.