Final answer:
SCC stands for Somatic Cell Count in the context of milk. Somatic cells are shed into the milk from the cow's mammary gland tissue due to infection or inflammation. The SCC is used as an indicator of milk quality and udder health.
Step-by-step explanation:
SCC stands for Somatic Cell Count in the context of milk. Somatic cells are cells that are shed into the milk from the cow's mammary gland tissue due to infection or inflammation. The SCC is a measure of the number of somatic cells present in a given volume of milk and it is used as an indicator of milk quality and udder health.
Somatic cell counts are typically measured in cells per milliliter (cells/mL) of milk. Higher SCC values can indicate the presence of mastitis, an udder infection, which can affect milk production and quality. Dairy farmers monitor SCC to detect any issues early and take appropriate actions to maintain milk quality.