Relative importance of pre-partum and post-partum factors in the control of milk yield in the guinea-pig

Examination of data pertaining to milk yield and litter growth rate of guinea-pigs at peak lactation showed that milk yield increased with increasing number of pups carried by the dam during pregnancy and also with increasing maternal weight. There was a significant linear correlation (P < 0.05)...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of dairy research 1979-11, Vol.46 (4), p.613-621
Main Authors: Davis, Stephen R., Mepham, T. Ben, Lock, Kathryn J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Birth Weight
Body Weight
Female
Guinea Pigs - growth & development
Guinea Pigs - physiology
Lactation
Litter Size
Mammary Glands, Animal - anatomy & histology
Organ Size
Original Articles
Postpartum Period
Pregnancy
Pregnancy, Animal
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Summary:Examination of data pertaining to milk yield and litter growth rate of guinea-pigs at peak lactation showed that milk yield increased with increasing number of pups carried by the dam during pregnancy and also with increasing maternal weight. There was a significant linear correlation (P < 0.05) of mammary gland weight (expressed per unit of maternal body weight) with litter size. Increasing litter size, within 18 h of parturition, from 1 pup to 5 pups did not elicit a response in milk yield. Decreasing litter size from 5 pups to 1 pup reduced milk yield to the level expected of a monotocous dam. Data are presented showing the ability of the guinea-pig pup to survive from birth without access to milk and the inadequacy of milk supply to meet litter requirements when the litter size is more than 2 pups. The mechanisms controlling lactation in the guinea-pig are discussed in relation to data obtained in other species.
ISSN:0022-0299
1469-7629
DOI:10.1017/S0022029900020677