Effect of different milking routines on milking-related release of the hormones oxytocin, prolactin and cortisol, and on milk yield and milking performance in Murrah buffaloes

Milking-related release of oxytocin, prolactin, and cortisol was studied following three pre-milking treatments. Six Murrah buffaloes were treated with direct application of milking cluster (O), a 1-min pre-stimulation (M), and combined feeding and pre-stimulation (MF). Machine milk yield, stripping yield and milk composition were recorded. Milk ejection occurred significantly earlier with MF than M and O (P<0·05; 2·50, 5·10 and 6·33 min, respectively). In all treatments, milk ejection occurred with small increases >3–5 ng/l in oxytocin concentration. Increase in oxytocin concentration over a threshold level and milk ejection occurred simultaneously and were closely correlated (r=0·83, P<0·05). There was a positive correlation between total time oxytocin concentration remained elevated over threshold levels and machine yield (r=0·86, P<0·05). For treatment O, milk ejection was inhibited during machine milking, while a marked increase in oxytocin occurred during hand stripping (6 and 16 ng/l, respectively). For treatment M, mean oxytocin concentrations remained unchanged during pre-stimulation but increased during subsequent machine milking and hand stripping (6·38, 18·06 and 12·36 ng/l, respectively). For treatment MF, although there was a 3·6-fold increase during pre-stimulation, oxytocin increased by 10-fold and 3-fold during machine milking and hand stripping, and was significant for machine milking (P<0·05, 17·32, 47·86, 18·13 ng/l, respectively). Milk-ejection-related cortisol release was visible only in treatment MF. For treatments O and M, prolactin concentration increased prior to the increase in oxytocin. The stripping yield was higher, and fat content in the stripping yield significantly lower, for treatment O indicating incomplete milking. Thus buffaloes are easily disturbed even by small changes in milking routines.

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Oxytocin and cortisol release during suckling, hand-milking and machine milking in camels

Journal of Dairy Research ◽

10.1017/s0022029921000522 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Marwa Brahmi ◽

Moufida Atigui ◽

Ihmen Hammadi ◽

Jacques Portanguen ◽

Mohamed Hammadi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plasma Concentration ◽

Management Practices ◽

Maternal Behaviour ◽

Milk Ejection ◽

Dromedary Camels ◽

Machine Milking ◽

Physiological Consequence ◽

Peak Release ◽

Cortisol Release ◽

Concentration Patterns

Abstract This research paper addresses the hypothesis that oxytocin (OT) could be released during suckling and during milking with and without the presence of a calf and that this release could be regulated by maternal behaviour. Plasma concentration patterns of OT and cortisol (CORT) were measured in six Tunisian dromedary camels during 2 suckling episodes, 2 manual milking episodes with calves beside the mother and 2 machine milking episodes without calves present. Various patterns of OT release were observed between each camel including specific two peak release patterns. Higher plasma OT concentrations were found during the suckling and hand-milking episodes with simultaneous suckling of calves, than during the machine milking episodes without calves. Exclusive mechanical milking episodes also evoked significant mean OT release, although greatly reduced compared to suckling and hand milking. The low basal levels and classical CORT release patterns suggested non-stressful management practices were used and there were very limited differences in udder stimulation between managements. The OT release induced by exclusive suckling and suckling together with hand-milking gives a reference point for what a good milk ejection stimulation is in camels. The important and specific reduction of OT release during machine milking without the calf present could be a physiological consequence of the maternal behaviour (selectivity for the own young) and to a lesser extent explained by a lower stimulation by machine milking.

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Effect of milking behavior on circulatory hormones and milk production in lactating Murrah buffaloes

Indian Journal of Animal Research ◽

10.18805/ijar.8567 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 50 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mahendra Singh ◽

Anjali Aggarwal ◽

S. Mallick

Keyword(s):

Milk Yield ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Plasma Prolactin ◽

Plasma Nefa ◽

Murrah Buffaloes ◽

Plasma Nefa Concentration ◽

Plasma Hormones ◽

Plasma Prl ◽

Sampling Times

The effect of milking temperament on plasma hormones, metabolites, milk yield and composition in lactating Murrah buffaloes was studied. Animals were selected from the institute herd and grouped as docile and nervous buffaloes, based on temperament score before and during milking. Blood sampling times were; before milking (-20 min.), after concentrate intake, after teat massage, during milking and 20 min. post- milking. Plasma prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH) and cortisol (CORT) concentrations were measured by enzyme-immunoassay procedures. Milk yields of individual buffaloes were recorded and milk composition (fat, protein, lactose, SNF, SCC) determined. Milk yield was significantly lower (P<0.05) in nervous buffaloes in comparison to docile buffaloes. Mean fat, protein, lactose and SNF varied non-significantly between the groups. Milk SCC and plasma NEFA concentration was more (P<0.05) in nervous buffaloes than in docile buffaloes. Milking temperament significantly influenced plasma PRL (P<0.01) and CORT release (P<0.05) but GH was unaffected. Concentrate feeding prior to milking induced release of plasma PRL and CORT without affecting GH and oxytocin levels. Teat stimulus further enhanced release of PRL, oxytocin and CORT hormone in both the groups. Plasma PRL, cortisol, oxytocin and GH varied significantly (P<0.01) before, during and after milking (P<0.01). Basal PRL, GH and CORT were attained 20 minutes after the completion of milking in both the groups. The results show that the behavior of buffaloes at milking influenced release of galactopoietic hormones (PRL, CORT, GH and oxytocin), milk yield and SCC, while milk fat, protein, lactose and SNF remain unaffected.

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Effect of stimulation intensity on oxytocin release before, during and after machine milking

Journal of Dairy Research ◽

10.1017/s0022029903006216 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 70 (3) ◽

pp. 349-354 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Daniel Weiss ◽

Alen Dzidic ◽

Rupert M Bruckmaier

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Threshold Level ◽

Flow Profile ◽

Milk Ejection ◽

Machine Milking ◽

Milk Flow ◽

Oxytocin Release ◽

Stimulation Period ◽

Stimulation Of

Release of oxytocin (OT) is essential for milk ejection in dairy cows (Lefcourt & Akers, 1983; Bruckmaier & Blum, 1998). During milk ejection, alveolar milk is shifted into the cistern, which causes an increase of intracisternal pressure (Bruckmaier et al. 1994). To initiate maximum milk ejection at the start of milking, increasing OT concentration beyond a threshold level is sufficient (Schams et al. 1983). Increasing OT concentration beyond this threshold has no additional effect on intracisternal pressure, i.e., milk ejection (Bruckmaier et al. 1994). Stimulatory effects of milking by hand or by machine or by suckling are well documented (Gorewit et al. 1992; Bar-Peled et al. 1995; Tancin et al. 1995; Bruckmaier & Blum, 1996). At the start of milking, stimulatory effects of machine milking without pre-stimulation or with a manual pre-stimulation and subsequent machine milking cause the release of comparable amounts of OT (Gorewit & Gassman, 1985; Mayer et al. 1985; Bruckmaier & Blum, 1996), whereas the timing of the applied pre-stimulation is important for the shape of the milk flow curve. Should the pre-stimulation period be too short, or absent altogether, the start of the main milk flow is delayed resulting in a bimodal milk flow profile (Bruckmaier & Blum, 1996). Furthermore, the stimulation of only one teat causes an OT release similar to that caused by stimulation of all four teats (Bruckmaier et al. 2001). However, milk production is greater for hand milking or suckling than for machine milking, possibly owing to higher OT concentrations (Gorewit et al. 1992; Bar-Peled et al. 1995).

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ESTIMATION OF SIMMENTAL COWS FOR MACHINE MILKING SUITABILITY

Vestnik of Ulyanovsk state agricultural academy ◽

10.18286/1816-4501-2021-1-137-142 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 212 ◽

pp. 137-142

Author(s):

E.I. Anisimova ◽

◽

P.S. Katmakov ◽

A.V. Bushov ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protein Content ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Agricultural Production ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Fat Content ◽

Agricultural Cooperative ◽

Machine Milking ◽

Milk Flow ◽

Daily Milk Yield

The paper presents results of studies on evaluating Simmental cows for machine milking suitability. It was found that 78.7% of cows had a bowl-shaped udder, round - 14.7% and goat - 6.6% of cows at ‘agricultural production cooperative “COMBINE”. Bowl-shaped cows are more productive. Their milk yield was 4724 kg for 305 days of lactation with a fat content of 3.97% and a protein content of 3.30%. Their udder index was 47.7%. As for cows with a rounded udder shape, milk yield per lactation was 4246 kg with fat and protein content of 4.08 and 3.26% , respectively, and an udder index of 46.1%. Cows with a goat udder shape were characterized by low milk yield (3181 kg) and the worst parametres of milk fat content (3.88%), milk protein (3.20%) and udder index (2.2%). Approximately the same pattern is observed in the herd of the agricultural cooperative “Abodimovskiy” with slightly worse parametres of cow productivity. The intensity of milk production of cows of agricultural production cooperative “Abodimovsiy” with a bowl-shaped udder was 1.42, round - 1.35 and goat - 1.18 kg / min. Cows with a rounded udder shape had higher milk flow rate, which was equal to 1.65 kg / min, with a bowl-shaped one - 1.24 and with a goat udder shape- 1.09 kg / min in agricultural production cooperative “Combine”. No relation was found between udder index and milk composition. There is also no conjugation between the intensity of milk flow and fat and protein content for udder quarters and for the udder as a whole, whereas a positive correlation was found between the intensity of milk flow and daily milk yield.

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Effect of calf stimulation on milk ejection in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

Rangifer ◽

10.7557/2.24.1.261 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 3 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Hallvard Gjøstein ◽

Øystein Holand ◽

Tore Bolstad ◽

Knut Hove ◽

Robert B. Weladji

Keyword(s):

Sample Size ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Rangifer Tarandus ◽

Milk Ejection ◽

Limited Sample ◽

Visual Contact ◽

Limited Sample Size ◽

Machine Milking ◽

Short Period

<p>The objective of this study was to establish methods for stimulating the milk ejection in reindeer kept for milking purpose. Calves were used to stimulate milk does’ let down. In experiment 1, five does were allowed olfactory, acoustic and visual contact with their calves during milking, whereas four does were milked in isolation. The treatment of the groups was alternated every day during the eight days experiment. Olfactory, acoustic and visual contact with the calf did not influence the doe’s milk yield. The milk yield varied significantly between individual females within treatment (P < 0.01). In experiment 2, the calves were allowed to suckle their mother for a short period (two seconds) prior to milking being initiated. The same alternate design as in experiment 1 with groups consisting of three and two animals respectively was used, and the experiment lasted four days. The pre-suckling stimulation significantly increased the milk ejection measured as milk yield (P < 0.05), and the residual milk after the treatment was negectible. Moreover, the milk ejection varied between individual females within treatment (P < 0.05). We conclude that it is possible to achieve a complete milk removal by machine milking after the does have been pre-stimulated by suckling of calves. Olfactory, acoustic and visual contact with calves during milking failed to influence the milk ejection in this study. However, the results have to be interpreted with caution due to limited sample size.</p><p>Abstract in Norwegian / Sammendrag: Formålet med dette forsøket var å prøve ut ulike metoder for å stimulere nedgivninga av melk hos rein. Kalvene ble tatt i bruk for å stimulere nedgivninga. I forsøk 1 hadde simla lyd-, lukt og synskontakt med kalven mens melkingen pågikk. Vi benyttet et ”switch back design” der fem simler hadde kontakt med kalven under melkingen og fire ble melket uten kontakt. Behandlingen ble byttet om annenhver dag i de åtte dagene forsøket varte. Lyd-, lukt og synskontakt med kalven under melking hadde ingen innvirkning på melkemengden ved maskinmelking. Det var imidlertid individuell variasjon i hvor mye melk man oppnådde hos simlene (P < 0.01). I forsøk 2 lot vi kalvene suge simlene en kort stund før simlene ble melket. Kalven ble sluppet inn til simla og sugingen ble avbrutt etter to sekunder. Deretter ble simla ført inn for maskinmelking. Forsøket varte i fire dager og vi benyttet samme ”switch back design” som i forsøk 1, med grupper bestående av henholdsvis to og tre dyr. Stimuleringa med suging hadde en signifikant innvirkning på nedgivninga. (P < 0.05), og mengden gjenværende melk var minimal. Dessuten var det en signifikant individuell variasjon i melkemengden innen behandlingen (P < 0.05). Vi konkluderer med at det er mulig å oppnå en fullstendig tømming av juret ved maskinmelking dersom simlene først er blitt stimulert med suging av kalven. Lyd-, lukt- og synskontakt med kalven under melking hadde ingen innvirkning på nedgivninga av melk i dette forsøket. Resultatene må imidlertid tolkes med varsomhet siden det statistiske utvalget er begrenset.</p>

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Shortened dry period in dairy Buffaloes: Influence on milk yield, milk components and reproductive performance

Indian Journal of Animal Research ◽

10.18805/ijar.b-3457 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A Nagarjuna Reddy ◽

Ch Venkata Seshiah ◽

K Sudhakar ◽

D Srinivasa Kumar ◽

P. Ravi Kanth Reddy

Keyword(s):

Milk Yield ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Serum Glucose ◽

Dry Period ◽

Yield Change ◽

Murrah Buffaloes ◽

Service Period ◽

The Mean

The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of the duration of the dry period (DP) on milk yield, milk composition, and reproductive performance of Murrah buffaloes in the subsequent lactation. High yielding Murrah buffaloes (n=48) were assigned to either shortened (30 to 45 d (n=16); and 45 to 60 d (n=16)) or traditional (>60 days (n=16)) dry period lengths. The buffaloes were fed individually according to the production status. The buffaloes in >60, 45 and 30 d dry period groups had similar (P>0.05) milk yield, 6% Fat corrected milk (FCM), milk fat, and total solids; however, the former groups had an increased (P less then 0.05) 6% FCM yield change, and SNF percentage of milk. The mean service period (days) was least (P less then0.05) with the higher number of services required for conception in buffaloes allocated to traditional dry period length compared to those assigned to shortened dry periods. Further, 6% FCM had a negative correlation with Serum Glucose (SG) values at 30 d postpartum, followed by a significant positive (P less then 0.01) correlation at 60 or 90 d postpartum. It is concluded that extended DP of more than 60 days is not advantageous and would be a costly affair for the farmers in both productive and reproductive backdrop.

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Machine milking of dairy goats during lactation: udder anatomy, milking characteristics, and blood concentrations of oxytocin and prolactin

Journal of Dairy Research ◽

10.1017/s0022029900028387 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 61 (4) ◽

pp. 457-466 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Rupert M. Bruckmaier ◽

Chantal Ritter ◽

Dieter Schams ◽

Jürg W. Blum

Keyword(s):

Milk Yield ◽

Cross Sections ◽

Dairy Goats ◽

Milk Ejection ◽

Blood Concentrations ◽

Flow Rates ◽

Machine Milking ◽

The Third ◽

Milk Flow

SummaryForty-four goats were milked and milk flow recorded without or with 1 min manual prestimulation in early, mid and late lactation. Ultrasound measurements of cross sections of the whole mammary gland were performed in a water bath. In additional experiments with 15 goats, milk flow was recorded and frequent blood samples were taken for the determination of oxytocin and prolactin concentrations. Milk yield increased from the first to the third lactation and decreased markedly during the course of lactation. Average and peak milk flow rates were closely related to the actual milk yield. The ultrasound cisternal area was 27·4±1·5% of the entire udder half cross section. Milking characteristics were scarcely different without or with prestimulation, although oxytocin was released within 30 s after the start of prestimulation, whereas oxytocin concentrations without prestimulation increased only after the start of milking. Concentrations of prolactin were higher during July and August than in April, and increased similarly with or without prestimulation during milking. In contrast to dairy cows, prestimulation and an opportune release of oxytocin during milking does not significantly influence the course of milk flow in goats, and this is probably because large amounts of cisternal milk allow milk ejection to be induced only after the start of milking without causing bimodal or otherwise reduced milk flow.

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Udder characteristics and effects of pulsation rate on milking machine efficiency in donkeys

Journal of Dairy Research ◽

10.1017/s0022029914000648 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 82 (1) ◽

pp. 121-128 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Angela Gabriella D‘Alessandro ◽

Michele Mariano ◽

Giovanni Martemucci

Keyword(s):

Mammary Gland ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Somatic Cell Count ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Machine Milking ◽

The Third ◽

Pulsation Rate ◽

Direct Measurements ◽

Internal Structures ◽

Milking Machine

Very little is known about the udder characteristics, partitioning of milk in the mammary gland and efficiency of machine milking in donkeys. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of the udder and teats, milk yield in relation to pulsation rates (90, 120 and 150 cycles/min), milk partitioning in the mammary gland, composition of the spontaneously removed and residual milk fractions and milking efficiency. Forty-one healthy Martina Franca jennies in the third month of lactation and routinely milked twice daily were used in three studies. Udder characteristics were evaluated by direct measurements and ultrasonographic scanning. Residual milk was obtained by milking after an oxytocin administration (40 IU i.m.). The prevalent shapes were ‘bowl’ for udders and ‘conical’ for teats. After milking the udder characteristics decreased within a range from −11·6% (udder depth) to −25·7% (diameter of teat at the base). The internal structures of the udder resulted as several pockets of ducts empting directly into the teat. The pulsation rate of 120 cycles/min improved (P<0·05) the milk yield in comparison to the 90 and 150 cycles/min, reduced the residual milk fraction, thus improved (P<0·05) milking efficiency. Residual milk composition had higher (P<0·05) fat content and somatic cell count than the spontaneously removed milk fraction. The udders revealed several pockets of ducts empting into the teat instead of a single cisternal cavity and showed a certain compliance. The use of 120 cycles/min pulsation rate improved milking efficiency.

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Techniques for estimation of milk yield in beef cows and relationships of milk yield to calf weight gain and postpartum reproduction.

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.2527/1990.684937x ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 68 (4) ◽

pp. 937-943 ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

W. E. Beal ◽

D. R. Notter ◽

R. M. Akers

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Milk Production ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Beef Cows ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Ovarian Activity ◽

Machine Milking ◽

Calf Removal ◽

On Farm ◽

Fall Calving

Abstract Milk production is a primary factor controlling weaning weight of beef calves. The purpose of this experiment was to develop a practical and reliable on-farm method of estimating milk production and to relate estimates of milk production and milk composition to preweaning weight gain of calves. A second objective was to relate milk production to postpartum ovarian activity. Milk production of spring- and fall-calving grade Angus cows was estimated by machine milking (MM; average of 66, 123 and 189 d postpartum) and weigh-suckle-weigh (WSW; average of 50, 95, 136 and 179 d postpartum) techniques following overnight calf removal. Cows and calves were weighed monthly and the postpartum interval to first ovulation following calving was determined. The repeatability of the estimated milk production by MM (.97) was higher (P < .01) than by WSW (.35). The correlation of average WSW and average MM estimates of milk production with preweaning calf gain were high and similar (> .75). Inclusion of milk composition did not improve the multiple correlation of MM-estimated milk production and calf gain. Neither milk production in early lactation (−.06) nor prebreeding weight change (−.07) was correlated with postpartum interval to ovulation. Machine milking was a repeatable method of estimating milk production of beef cows and can be used to evaluate effects of management variables on lactation of beef cows.

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Mammary cisternal size, cisternal milk and milk ejection in Murrah buffaloes

Journal of Dairy Research ◽

10.1017/s0022029904000081 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 71 (2) ◽

pp. 162-168 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Chirathalattu S Thomas ◽

Kerstin Svennersten-Sjaunja ◽

Madhukar R Bhosrekar ◽

Rupert M Bruckmaier

Keyword(s):

Milk Yield ◽

Cross Sections ◽

Age Groups ◽

Latency Period ◽

Close Correlation ◽

Milk Ejection ◽

Murrah Buffaloes ◽

Oxytocin Release ◽

Cavity System ◽

Internal Arrangement

The internal arrangement of the mammary gland cavity system, cisternal and alveolar milk fractions and the characteristics of milk ejection were investigated in buffaloes. Twenty-four Murrah buffaloes in three different stages of lactation and of two age groups were used. Continuous ultrasound cross-sections during milk ejection induced by exogenous oxytocin were performed to record the latency period of milk ejection. Buffaloes had small cisterns and the cavity area in the teat and gland regions were not significantly different (P>0·05). The animals had long teat canals (3·1±0·1 cm), longer in the hind than fore quarters. Cisternal milk yield was low (0·17±0·01 kg) and cisternal fraction was only 4·9±0·1% of the total milk. The cisternal area (cm2) was 69·6±4·6, 51·61±4·8 and 26·01±4·8 while the cisternal yield (kg) was 0·32±0·05, 0·18±0·05 and 0·05±0·05 in early, mid and late lactation, respectively. A close correlation (r=0·87, P<0·05) existed between the ultrasound cisternal area and cisternal milk yield. The latency period of induced milk ejection was similar to that reported for cows (25±1 s) and was negatively correlated with milk yield (r=−0·75, P<0·05). Milk ejection occurred shortly after elevated oxytocin concentrations were present. Delayed milk ejection reported earlier in this species must therefore be due to the absence of cisternal milk and delayed oxytocin release. An increase in teat length and circumference at milk ejection was also evident in the ultrasound cross sections.

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