Shawm test
The shawm test or California mastitis test ( CMT ) is a control method in which the number of somatic cells in each udder quarter can be estimated. Any existing cell membranes are destroyed and the DNA is released. This then reacts with the test substance to form a gel . Based on the consistency of the gel, an increase in the cell content and thus subclinical mastitis can be recognized.
application
A plastic plate with four wells is used, each well being used for one udder quarter. First, the foremilk is discarded, that is, disposed of. A little milk is then milked from each quarter and a test reagent is added. If gel formation occurs with careful movement, this means that there are many milk cells in this milk.