Effect of reduction of milking frequency and supplementation of vitamin E and selenium above requirements on milk yield and composition in Assaf ewes.
The aim of this research was to study the effect of milking frequency and supplementation with a vitamin-mineral complex above requirements on intake, body weight (BW), and milk yield and composition in high-yielding Assaf ewes. Sixteen lactating Assaf ewes were used in this study, separated into 4 groups of 4 ewes each. Animals in 2 of the groups (control groups) did not receive any extra vitamin-mineral supplement, whereas animals in the other 2 groups (supplement groups) received daily an oral dose of 1g of vitamin E (1,000 IU, DL-α-tocopherol acetate) and 0.4 mg of selenium (sodium selenite anhydrous). The experiment consisted of 2 consecutive periods of 3 wk (twice-daily milking in both mammary glands) and 8 wk (once-daily milking in one mammary gland and twice-daily milking in the other gland). Intake, BW, and milk composition were controlled weekly, and milk production was recorded 3 times a week. Administration of the vitamin-mineral supplement had no effect on dry matter intake, BW, or milk production and composition. The reduction of milking from twice to once a day caused a decrease in milk production and lactose concentration and a significant increase in protein concentration, total solids, and somatic cell count, without affecting the fat content. Administration of a vitamin E and Se supplement at the doses used in the present study does not seem to exert, in the short term, a noticeable effect on the mammary gland when milking frequency is reduced.
Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Ule), Finca Marzanas s/n, 24346 Grulleros, león, Spain.
E
E
Pulido
F J
FJ
Giráldez
R
R
Bodas
S
S
Andrés
N
N
Prieto
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002452:Cell Count / Q000662:veterinary; D003612:Dairying / Q000379:methods*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005223:Fats / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects*; D007785:Lactose / Q000032:analysis; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012643:Selenium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012756:Sheep; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology*
D005223:Fats; D008894:Milk Proteins; D014810:Vitamin E; D012643:Selenium; D007785:Lactose