Expression levels of Hp mRNA in somatic cells. (A) Expression of Hp mRNA in milk somatic cells according to SCC (A: < 100; B: 100–200; C: 201–500; and D: > 500 × 10³ cells/mL with n = 5 in each group). An equal amount of total cDNA (100 ng) was amplified by PCR, using GAPDH as a house-keeping control. (B) Each bar represents the mean ± SEM. ^***P < 0.001 as compared to group A.