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

• Published in: Journal of dairy research 2005-02, Vol.72 (1), p.10-18
• Main Authors: Thomas, Chirathalattu S, Bruckmaier, Rupert M, Östensson, Karin, Svennersten-Sjaunja, Kerstin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: animal husbandry; Animal productions; animal stress; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; buffalo milk; buffaloes; Buffaloes - physiology; cortisol; Dairying - methods; Female; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hormones; Hydrocortisone - analysis; Hydrocortisone - blood; Lactation; machine milking; Milk; Milk - chemistry; Milk - metabolism; Milk and cheese industries. Ice creams; milk composition; milk fat; milk quality; milk yield; milking frequency; milking machines; Oxytocin; Oxytocin - analysis; Oxytocin - blood; prolactin; Prolactin - analysis; Prolactin - blood; Terrestrial animal productions; Vertebrates
• ISSN: 0022-0299; 1469-7629
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022029904000457

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 (P3–5 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