Use of oxytocin to measure milk output in Merino ewes and its effect on fat content [sheep]. [Short note]
1992
Bencini, R. | Martin, G.B. | Purvis, I.W. (Western Australia Univ., Nedlands. School of Agriculture) | Hartmann, P.E. (Western Australia Univ., Nedlands. Dept. of Biochemistry)
Eight ewes were milked after an intravenous injection of 2.0 International Units (I.U.) of oxytocin, then milked again after a further intravenous injection of 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 5.0 I.U. of oxytocin, with the treatments allocated to a double Latin square design. The milk yielded at each treatment was recorded and samples of the milk were analysed for fat content. All oxytocin treatments significantly increased the amount of milk extracted, but did not affect the fat content of the milk. The dose-response curve showed a plateau at the 1 I.U. level. It was therefore concluded that 1 I.U. is the most suitable dose for measuring milk output in Merino ewes and that, within the range of doses tested, oxytocin does not affect the fat content of the milk withdrawn.
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