Machine milking of Ostfriesian and Lacaune dairy sheep: udder anatomy, milk ejection and milking characteristics

1997 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
RUPERT M. BRUCKMAIER ◽  
GEORG PAUL ◽  
HARALD MAYER ◽  
DIETER SCHAMS
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Ultrasound Measurement ◽  
Delayed Response ◽  
Dairy Sheep ◽  
Milk Ejection ◽  
Flow Curves ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Milk Flow ◽  
Oxytocin Release

Mammary cistern anatomy derived from ultrasound measurement, milk ejection in response to exogenous oxytocin and oxytocin release and milking characteristics with and without manual prestimulation in early (months 2–4) and late (months 5–8) lactation were investigated in Lacaune and Ostfriesian dairy ewes. Vertical ultrasound cisternal cross sections of the cisternal cavities did not differ in the two breeds, whereas the cisternal area fraction located lower than the exit into the teat channel was larger in Ostfriesian than in Lacaune sheep. The cisternal area enlarged within 1 min in response to i.v. oxytocin injection, indicating milk ejection. During milking, oxytocin concentrations in Lacaune generally increased dramatically within 0·5 min from the start of prestimulation or milking, whereas only slight or no oxytocin release was detected during milking without prestimulation in Ostfriesian ewes. Prestimulation induced oxytocin release in Ostfriesian sheep within 1–2 min after the start of milking, indicating delayed response to stimulation. Two peaked milk flow curves were observed when oxytocin release and milk ejection occurred only after removal of cisternal milk. This type of milk flow was more frequent in Ostfriesian than in Lacaune ewes and was reduced in both breeds by prestimulation, while the frequency of one peaked milk flow curves increased. During the course of lactation, milk yield, main milk fraction and milk flow rates decreased, while stripping yield was almost unchanged. Although milk yield was similar in both breeds, milk flow was lower and stripping yield was higher in Ostfriesian than in Lacaune ewes. We conclude that milk ejection in ewes occurred in response to elevated oxytocin concentrations. In Ostfriesian ewes reduced and delayed oxytocin response to teat stimulation resulted in milk ejection only during stripping. Therefore, and probably because a larger volume of the cistern was located below the teat exit in the Ostfriesian breed, stripping yield was higher in Ostfriesian than in Lacaune sheep.

scholarly journals Reduced claw vacuum and b-phase during low milk flow does not impact oxytocin release and milking performance

2017 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-77
Author(s):  
Anna-Lena Neuheuser ◽  
Ann-Catherine Schwinn ◽  
Olga Wellnitz ◽  
Lorenzo E. Hernández-Castellano ◽  
Rupert M. Bruckmaier
Keyword(s):  
Wall Thickness ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Peak Flow ◽  
Milk Ejection ◽  
Flow Curves ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Milk Flow ◽  
Oxytocin Release

Oxytocin release, milking characteristics, and teat condition were investigated with reduced claw vacuum and pulsation settings compared to milking at regular settings with or without pre-stimulation. The reduced vacuum and pulsation settings during low milk flow are expected to protect the teat tissue before the occurrence of milk ejection at the start of milking, and at the end of milking during a potential overmilking period, i.e. at a milk flow <200 g/min. Seven cows were machine-milked either after a 60 s manual pre-stimulation, or without pre-stimulation and reduced vacuum and pulsation settings, or at full vacuum and normal pulsation during the start of milking. Plasma oxytocin (OT) concentration increased similarly in response to manual pre-stimulation and to both milking with reduced, or with full vacuum and pulsation settings, however delayed by 1 min if the cluster was attached without pre-stimulation. In all treatments OT concentrations remained elevated throughout milking. Milk flow curves were mostly non-bimodal at milkings after manual pre-stimulation and bimodal at milkings without pre-stimulation. The main milking time was shorter and average milk flow was higher during milking after pre-stimulation, but did not differ between treatments without pre-stimulation. Milk yields and peak flow rates were not affected by treatments. Either reduced or full vacuum settings were again applied during an intended overmilking from 200 to 100 g/min of milk flow towards the end of milk harvest. Pre-milking teat ultrasound cross sections were recorded one day before the experiment started. Post-milking ultrasound cross sections were performed at 15 min after each experimental milking. Teat wall thickness was increased after milking as compared to pre-milking but did not differ among treatments. In conclusion, OT release and milking performance are similar if milking is performed with pre-stimulation, or without pre-stimulation but reduced claw vacuum and b-phase during low milk flow.

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

1994 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 457-466 ◽  
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.

Lactational changes in oxytocin release, intramammary pressure and milking characteristics in dairy cows

1991 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Mayer ◽  
Rupert Bruckmaier ◽  
Dieter Schams
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Maximum Flow ◽  
Pressure Increase ◽  
Maximum Pressure ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Milk Ejection ◽  
Milk Flow ◽  
Oxytocin Release ◽  
Almost All

SummaryTwo experiments were conducted to investigate possible changes of milking-related oxytocin release (Expt 1) and of intramammary pressure and milking characteristics (Expt 2) throughout entire lactations in German Braunvieh dairy cows. Mean oxytocin concentrations after stimulation at onset of milking increased from 18·3 ± 15·9 to 30·7 ± 24·1 pg/ml in Expt 1 and decreased from 23·9 ± 17·6 to 15·4 ± 9·1 pg/ml in Expt 2, respectively, but remained above the level necessary to elicit complete milk ejection in both trials. Premilking baseline intramammary pressure had its maximum in early lactation until about month 4 and then decreased to ∼50% of its initial level. Ejection pressure followed a similar pattern, but dropped only to ∼75% of its maximum. This was due to the constant elevation of pressure increase, reaching its highest level in late lactation. Time from commencement of stimulation until maximum pressure exceeded 1 min in almost all instances even in early lactation and increased throughout lactation. Despite the normal decrease of milk yield average milk flow fell only slightly while maximum flow rate remained almost constant. Pressure increase, milk yield and milk flow were not different after 1 min and after extended stimulation. Thus there were no indications of a decreasing sensitivity of the milk ejection reflex during lactation, and milking characteristics were positively affected by intense teat stimulation. Suggestions for practical dairying are made.

scholarly journals Simultaneous recording of oxytocin release, milk ejection and milk flow during milking of dairy cows with and without prestimulation

1996 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rupert M. Bruckmaier ◽  
Jürg W. Blum
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Simultaneous Recording ◽  
Milk Ejection ◽  
Flow Curves ◽  
Milk Flow ◽  
Oxytocin Release ◽  
Plateau Time ◽  
Milking Machine ◽  
Left Front

SummaryThe effects of manual teat stimulation compared with stimulation by the liner of a conventional milking machine and the influence of milk ejection on the course of milk flow during the entire milking were investigated. Twelve cows were milked with or without prestimulation on three quarters and milk flow was recorded while intramammary pressure (IMP) was recorded in the left front quarter and blood samples for the determination of oxytocin (OT) were taken at 1 min intervals. OT concentrations increased very similarly in response to manual teat stimulation or liner stimulation and remained elevated during the entire milking procedure. Milk flow curves were generally bimodal without stimulation and not bimodal during milking after prestimulation. Milk yield was not significantly lower in milkings without than with stimulation, whereas machine-on time was prolonged and peak milk flow rate was reduced during milking without stimulation. Time to reach milk flow plateau, time to reach peak flow rate and IMP profiles were similar in both treatments if time was calculated from the start of stimulation. IMP increased similarly in response to manual or liner teat stimulation. In milkings with and without prestimulation IMP did not reach its maximum until the start of milking. In bimodal milk flow curves the second increase of milk flow occurred concomitantly with the start of IMP increase; ejection IMP generally occurred concomitantly with the milk flow plateau. In some cases during milking without prestimulation only small and transient OT release was observed. In response, IMP did not increase to its maximum and increased further in response to a stripping-related OT release. During the course of milking IMP decreased slightly because of the emptying of the three milked quarters. After the end of milking, and with OT concentrations decreasing to the premilking values, IMP again decreased slightly to another plateau, probably owing to myoepithelial relaxation. Thus the course of milk ejection, i.e. the IMP profile, influenced milk removal markedly during early milking.

Effect of changes in milking routine on milking related behaviour and milk removal in Tunisian dairy dromedary camels

2014 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 494-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moufida Atigui ◽  
Pierre-Guy Marnet ◽  
Naziha Ayeb ◽  
Touhami Khorchani ◽  
Mohamed Hammadi
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stress ◽  
Milk Ejection ◽  
Dromedary Camels ◽  
Limited Effect ◽  
Flow Curves ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Environmental Perturbation ◽  
Environmental Perturbations ◽  
Milk Flow ◽  
Total Milk

We studied the effects of changes in the milking routine (lack or presence of 30-s prestimulation, 0 or 1, 2 or 4-min delay between preparation and cluster attachment) and environmental perturbation (unusual loud sounds capable of frightening animals just after stall entry or during the course of milking) on milk removal and milking-related behaviour in dairy dromedary camels. A 30-s prestimulation decreased incidence of bimodal milk flow curves and increased occurrence of the best milk ejection patterns with higher milk flow but had limited effect on milk production in our well-trained animals within a good machine milking setting. However, unusual sounds heard from the beginning of milking or even after milk ejection caused inhibition or disruption of milk removal and modification of camels’ behaviour. Milk ejection was significantly delayed (1·58±0·17 min), residual milk increased over 40% of total milk yield and average and peak milk flow rates were significantly lowered when unusual noises were heard from the beginning of milking. These environmental perturbations increased signs of vigilance and the number of attempts to escape the milking parlour. Delaying cluster attachment for over 1 min after the end of udder preparation caused serious milk losses. Up to 62% of total milk was withheld in the udder when the delay reached 4 min. Average and peak milk flow rates also decreased significantly with delayed milking. Signs of vigilance and attempts to escape from the milking parlour appeared when camels waited for over 2 min. After a 4-min delay, camels showed signs of acute stress. Defaecation prior to milk ejection (solid faeces) and rumination during milking can be used to assess camels’ milk ejection during milking. Animal welfare and milking efficiency can be ensured when camels are pre-stimulated, milked in calm conditions and with cluster attachment within a maximum of a 1-min delay after stimulation

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

2004 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 162-168 ◽  
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.

Small increases in peripheral noradrenaline inhibit the milk-ejection response by means of a peripheral mechanism

1984 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Lefcourt ◽  
R. M. Akers
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Bolus Injection ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Milk Ejection ◽  
Milk Flow ◽  
Dependent Change ◽  
Peripheral Mechanism ◽  
Oxytocin Release ◽  
Second Peak

ABSTRACT The effects of exogenous noradrenaline on the milk-ejection response were determined for nine Holstein cows. Noradrenaline was injected (0·95 nmol/kg) 15 s after the start of teat stimulation (preparation) or infused (0·13 nmol/kg per min, after bolus injection of 0·47 nmol/kg) starting 10 min before milking for 20 min. Cows were prepared (udder wash and dry) for 1 min before milking. Both injection and infusion resulted in approximately a 3·5-fold increase in peripheral noradrenaline at 1·75 min after the start of milking (baseline noradrenaline 0·83 and 0·89 nmol/l plasma; at 4 min, 2·00 and 3·00 nmol/l). Prolactin release was delayed and oxytocin release enhanced, while milk yield was decreased by 8·6% for both treatments. The maximum rate of milk flow was also depressed by treatment. In contrast, milking time increased for injection and decreased for infusion. In addition, a milk-yield-dependent change in the pattern of milk flow was seen in response to treatment. In medium-yield animals, two distinct milk-flow peaks were apparent and injection delayed the time to the second peak. We conclude that physiologically meaningful increases in peripheral noradrenaline can inhibit milk-ejection response by means of a peripheral mechanism not involving inhibition of release of oxytocin. J. Endocr. (1984) 100, 337–344

scholarly journals Milk yield, oxytocin and β-endorphin gradually normalize during repeated milking in unfamiliar surroundings

1996 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rupert M. Bruckmaier ◽  
Hans-Ulrich Pfeilsticker ◽  
Jürg W. Blum
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Control Level ◽  
Operating Theatre ◽  
Milk Ejection ◽  
Asymptotic Approach ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Milk Flow ◽  
Total Milk ◽  
Oxytocin Release

SummaryFor six successive milkings, six dairy cows were relocated immediately before milking to an unfamiliar operating theatre, a procedure previously shown to inhibit oxytocin release and milk ejection. Two control milkings were performed in familiar surroundings. After milk flow had ceased, two i.v. injections of 1 i.u. oxytocin were given to remove the remaining milk. Milk flow was recorded continuously and blood samples were taken every minute during milking and 10 min after milking. During the first milking in unfamiliar surroundings, no oxytocin was released. Thereby, only 13% of the total milk yield, the cisternal milk, was available and the alveolar milk fraction could only be removed after injection of oxytocin. During subsequent relocations oxytocin release steadily increased toward the control level, although the timing of oxytocin release remained delayed as compared with controls. However, the milk fraction available before oxytocin injection increased with increasing number of removals, following an asymptotic approach to control levels. The concentrations of β-endorphin, cortisol (and perhaps also of prolactin) gradually declined with the number of times the animal was moved to unfamiliar surroundings, i.e. hormone concentrations gradually adjusted to control level. During milking, concentrations of prolactin and cortisol increased, while β-endorphin concentrations decreased (except for the first relocation). We conclude that milking-related oxytocin release and therefore milk ejection adapted gradually to repeated relocations to unfamiliar surroundings. This adaptation was inversely related to β-endorphin concentrations, so it is possible that oxytocin release was suppressed by high circulating β-endorphin concentrations.

Inhibition of milk ejection in cows by oxytocin receptor blockade, α-adrenergic receptor stimulation and in unfamiliar surroundings

1997 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 315-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
RUPERT M. BRUCKMAIER ◽  
OLGA WELLNITZ ◽  
JÜRG W. BLUM
Keyword(s):  
Adrenergic Receptor ◽  
Peak Flow ◽  
Oxytocin Receptor ◽  
Receptor Blockade ◽  
Milk Ejection ◽  
Receptor Stimulation ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Milk Flow ◽  
Drug Treatments ◽  
Similar Peak

Inhibition of milk ejection in cows by oxytocin receptor blockade (Atosiban) and α-adrenergic receptor stimulation (phenylephrine) prior to prestimulation was compared with inhibition of milk ejection in unfamiliar surroundings. In addition, Atosiban and phenylephrine were administered after a 1 min prestimulation or 1 min after the start of milking. Oxytocin concentrations increased during milking in all treatments. The spontaneously removed milk fraction (before oxytocin was injected) was similar for Atosiban and phenylephrine treatments and in unfamiliar surroundings, but lower than in controls. Peak flow rates were similar in all treatments, but reduced as compared with controls when phenylephrine and Atosiban were administered before prestimulation. Peripheral (Atosiban, phenylephrine) and central (unfamiliar surroundings) inhibition of milk ejection reduced the amount of available milk similarly. Drug treatments resulted in similar peak flow rates; however, teats were contracted after phenylephrine administration but not after Atosiban. The inhibition induced by Atosiban could be abolished by oxytocin injection, but not that induced by phenylephrine, which was antagonized by α-adrenergic receptor blockade. These results indicate that inhibition of milk ejection through activation of α-adrenergic receptors is based on blockade of milk flow into the cistern, but not through the teats.

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

2003 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-354 ◽  
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).

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document