A Californian Mastitis Test (CMT) requires a sample of how many cc's of milk?

The Californian Mastitis Test (CMT) is a diagnostic tool used to screen for mastitis in dairy cattle. This test assesses the somatic cell count in milk, which can indicate inflammation or infection in the udder. For the CMT to function effectively, a small amount of milk is required from each quarter of the udder being tested.

The correct answer is 2 cc's of milk because this volume is optimal for mixing with the CMT reagent to create a visible reaction that indicates the presence of mastitis. Using this amount allows for adequate sensitivity in detecting somatic cells. If too little milk is used, the reaction may not be representative or reliable, while using a larger volume could lead to unnecessary testing challenges and resources. Thus, 2 cc is the standard measure for performing this important diagnostic procedure efficiently and accurately.