[Determination of the number of somatic cells in milk using the rapid diphenylamine DNA filter method].

The rapid reaction of the diphenylamine agent with DNA was used for the determination of the counts of somatic cells in cow's milk, using the DNA filter method. The method is based on the filtration of a warmed (65-70 degrees C) mixture of milk with Triton X-100 through the Synpor nitrocellulose membrane filter, pore size 2 to 5 microns, and subsequent DNA determination of the collected somatic cells by the colour reaction of diphenylamine. A 2ml quantity of distilled water and 4 ml of diphenylamine reagent were added to the membrane filters with somatic cells. The mixture is warmed in water bath at 90 to 100 degrees C for 20 min., then it is cooled, centrifuged (3500 X g, 15 min.), and the optical density is measured at 595 nm. The relation 8 micrograms = 1 million cells was used for the conversion of DNA content to the counts of cells. The average variation coefficient of the determination was 5.9% and the coefficient of correlation between the diphenylamine DNA filter method and the direct microscopy of the somatic cells on membrane filters was r = 0.997. Using the diphenylamine DNA filter method, the counts of somatic cells can also be determined from milk samples stored in frozen condition or from the filters with collected cells kept at the temperature of 4 degrees C (10 days) or 25 degrees C (3 days). Milk stabilized with formaldehyde can also be used for the determination if stored at 4 degrees C.