Question

Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and other one labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A) : Somatic cell counts (SCC) is widely used to determine the severity of mastitis in dairy cows.
Reason (R) : Somatic cells, primarily white blood cells, decrease in response to inflammation or infection in the mammary gland.
In light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
• B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is NOT the correct explanation of (A)
• C. (A) is true but (R) is false
• D. (A) is false but (R) is true

Hint:

Remember that an infection triggers an immune response, which increases (not decreases) the concentration of white blood cells (somatic cells) in milk to fight the invading bacteria.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Somatic Cell Count (SCC) is a widely used diagnostic indicator to monitor udder health and detect mastitis in dairy herds.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- Assertion (A): Somatic cells consist of epithelial cells shed from the udder tissue and white blood cells (leukocytes). An elevated somatic cell count in milk is an established indicator of mastitis, representing both the presence and severity of the infection. Thus, Assertion (A) is true.
- Reason (R): When the mammary gland becomes infected or inflamed, the cow's immune system recruits large numbers of white blood cells (primarily neutrophils) to the udder to fight the pathogen. This immune response causes the somatic cell count in the milk to increase significantly (often from less than 100,000 cells/mL to millions of cells/mL), rather than decrease. Thus, Reason (R) is false.

Step 3: Final Answer
Since the Assertion is correct but the Reason is false, the correct option is (C).