Milk production and composition in captive Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus): effect of birth date

This study describes milk production and milk composition of Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) females (hinds) and the effect of calving date andBWchange of hinds by milking over 34 wk. All hinds produced milk throughout the 34-wk study period, well over the standard lactation period. Tot...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Landete Castillejos, Tomás, García Díaz, Andrés José, Molina Pons, Pilar, Vergara Pérez, Herminia, Garde López-Brea, José Julián, Gallego, Laureano
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2000
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha
Repositorio:RUIdeRA. Repositorio Institucional de la UCLM
OAI Identifier:oai:ruidera.uclm.es:10578/7992
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10578/7992
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Lactation curves
Milk composition
Milk production
Red deer
Descripción
Sumario:This study describes milk production and milk composition of Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) females (hinds) and the effect of calving date andBWchange of hinds by milking over 34 wk. All hinds produced milk throughout the 34-wk study period, well over the standard lactation period. Total milk yield was 224.1 ± 21.1 L, and daily production was 0.91 ± 0.06 L. Milk yield decreased with lactation stage (P = 0.01) and the later a calf was born (P = 0.008), and it was greater in posterior quarters (P < 0.05). Milk yield was unaffected (P > 0.10) by side position or milking order of the udder. Milk production did not correlate with hind BW (P > 0.1). Hinds lost 4.4% BW during lactation (P < 0.001); losses increased the later a calf was born (P = 0.012). Iberian red deer milk had 11.5% fat, 7.6% protein, 5.9% lactose, and 26.7% DM. Stage of lactation affected fat (P < 0.001), protein (P = 0.002), DM (P < 0.001), and protein:fat ratio (P < 0.001), but not lactose (P > 0.1). These constituents became concentrated as lactation proceeded, and protein was substituted by fat. Calving date had a similar concentrating effect on fat (P < 0.001) and DM (P < 0.001), whereas it decreased lactose (P = 0.015) and protein (P = 0.002), thus producing a substitution of protein by fat (ratio of protein to fat, P < 0.001). Milking order of quarters or their position had no effect on milk composition (P > 0.10). Results suggest that milk production and milk energetic quality might increase by advancing calving date in red deer hinds.