What does a high somatic cell count in raw milk typically indicate?

A high somatic cell count in raw milk is typically indicative of the presence of mastitis, which is an infection of the udder tissue in dairy cows. Somatic cells are primarily composed of white blood cells and some epithelial cells; when a cow has an infection like mastitis, the immune system responds by sending more white blood cells to the udder to fight the infection. This increase in somatic cells results in a higher count in the milk.

The other options do not accurately reflect the implications of a high somatic cell count. A high somatic cell count does not correlate with high nutrient content since it can affect the overall quality of milk negatively. Similarly, a high somatic cell count may lead to off-flavors in the milk, impacting its flavor quality, which contradicts the idea of low flavor quality being a direct result. Finally, a high count does not indicate the cow's good health, as it is usually a sign of underlying health issues such as mastitis. Therefore, the correct choice highlights a critical health concern for dairy cows that can significantly affect milk quality and production.