Physiological, genetic and inflammatory factors influencing somatic cell count in goat milk: a review

Somatic cell count (SCC) is widely used as an indicator of milk quality and udder health in ruminants; however, its interpretation in goats remains complex due to species-specific physiology and multifactorial variability. A key challenge in goat dairy production is distinguishing physiological from pathological SCC elevation. This critical narrative review synthesizes current knowledge on physiological, genetic, environmental, and inflammatory determinants of SCC in goat milk and evaluates their implications for milk quality and udder health assessment. The evidence indicates that SCC in goats is inherently elevated due to the apocrine milk secretion mechanism and is further influenced by factors such as lactation stage, parity, environmental conditions, and management practices. Genetic effects are moderate and context-dependent, while intramammary infection remains the primary pathological driver of SCC increase. These findings demonstrate that SCC cannot be reliably interpreted using fixed threshold values. Instead, its diagnostic value depends on context-dependent evaluation. Based on the reviewed evidence, an integrated framework for SCC interpretation is proposed, enabling differentiation between physiological and pathological SCC elevation. This approach supports more accurate diagnostic decision-making and improved milk quality management in goat production systems.