Finally, the linear regression results between normalized read counts and SCC showed that significant correlations were observed between the expression levels of DEGs (CXCL9, SOCS1, LOC508858, and CYP2E1) and SCC (Fig. 9), suggesting these genes might be served as potential molecular biomarkers of mastitis caused by infection with S. aureus. This evidence concerns the gene CYP2E1 and mastitis.