Glucose levels in normal and mastitic milk

Glucose levels in 188 quarter for milks from different cows were determined by an enzymic procedure. Mean glucose content was 0.22 mM (standard error +/- 0.009) and results ranged from 0.02-0.57 mM. Abnormal quarters had lower glucose levels (P less than 0.01) than normal quarters but variability within each classification was large. Glucose content was negatively correlated with both somatic cell count (r = 0.49) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase level (r = -0.61). Milk glucose was considered to be of limited value as a diagnostic test for mastitis.