Galectins (Gal) are β-galactosidase binding proteins that play a role in inflammatory diseases. Somatic cell counts (SCC) in milk are indicators of inflammation. The objective of this study was to assess the expression of galectin genes (LGALS) in cow blood and its possible relationship to SCC in milk. Blood was collected from the jugular vein of 10 clinically healthy Holstein cows. Based on the average of Dairy Herd index reports, 5 cows each were assigned to the High or low SCC group. Total RNA was isolated from whole blood, pooled and transcribed to cDNA, for Real-time PCR. Cow LGALS-1, -2, -3, -4, -7, -8, -9, and -12 specific primers were designed using the NCBI Primer 3 tool. Housekeeping gene β-actin served as internal control. Fold changes were calculated using the Livak method. Plasma was extracted from whole blood. Total plasma protein concentration was determined using the Bicinchoninic acid assay kit. Cow Gal-1, -2, -4, -8, -9, and -12 specific ELISA kits were used to assess secretion. Data were analyzed using Proc ANOVA procedure in SAS 9.4. LGALS-1, -2, -4, -12 were expressed in HSSC and LSCC. Transcription of LGALS, -1, -2, -4, -12 was higher in HSCC (1.12-, 6.68-, 5.82-, 9.25-fold, respectively) cows compared with LSCC. LGALS-7 and -8 were not observed in both groups. Transcription of LGALS-3 and -9 were expressed only in LSCC. Total protein concentration was higher in LSCC (P = 0.0362) compared with HSCC. Gal-1, -2, -4, -8, -9, and -12 were secreted in both groups. Concentrations of Gal-4 was 11.4% higher in HSCC compared with LSCC, whereas Gal-2 was 3.5% higher in LSCC. Gal-12 was higher in HSCC (P = 0.036) compared with LSCC. Gal-1, -8, and -9 remained unchanged. LGALS transcription and Gal translation patterns were different between HSCC and LSCC cows. The observed difference in HSCC and LSCC cows warrants further study using more animals, this will aid in the better definition of the role of galectins in the inflammatory response.