Milking Reactivity in Primiparous Saanen Goats During Early Lactation: Effects on Milk Yield, Milk Quality and Plasma Cortisol Concentration

The reactivity of primiparous goats during milking can significantly affect animal welfare and performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the progression of milking reactivity during lactation and its effects at early lactation on milk yield, milk quality, and plasma cortisol concentratio...

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Main Authors: Mayara Andrioli, Joseph K. Grajales-Cedeño, Aline C. Sant’Anna, João A. Negrão, Mateus J. R. Paranhos da Costa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/23/3365
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author Mayara Andrioli
Joseph K. Grajales-Cedeño
Aline C. Sant’Anna
João A. Negrão
Mateus J. R. Paranhos da Costa
author_facet Mayara Andrioli
Joseph K. Grajales-Cedeño
Aline C. Sant’Anna
João A. Negrão
Mateus J. R. Paranhos da Costa
author_sort Mayara Andrioli
collection DOAJ
description The reactivity of primiparous goats during milking can significantly affect animal welfare and performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the progression of milking reactivity during lactation and its effects at early lactation on milk yield, milk quality, and plasma cortisol concentration in primiparous Saanen goats. The milking reactivity of 31 primiparous Saanen goats was evaluated on days 10, 30, and 60 of the lactation period by scoring step-kick behavior (SK) and head, ear, and tail movements (MOV). Milk yield, milk protein and fat percentages, somatic cell count (SCC), and plasma cortisol concentration were measured on day 10 of lactation. Goats’ milking reactivity was classified as low or high (according to the SK and MOV scores measured on day 10 of lactation). SK and MOV scores decreased over the lactation period, indicating that the goats habituated to the milking procedures. Milking reactivity only affected milk fat percentage, with the less reactive goats having more milk fat than the highly reactive ones. There was no evidence of stress when goats were subjected to milking procedures during early lactation. Further studies are needed to clarify the relationships of milking reactivity with stress response and their effects on milk yield and quality.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2076-2615
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publishDate 2024-11-01
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series Animals
spelling doaj-art-eb460c54a7ab4dbda6d6cc3cad59996d2024-12-13T16:20:56ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-11-011423336510.3390/ani14233365Milking Reactivity in Primiparous Saanen Goats During Early Lactation: Effects on Milk Yield, Milk Quality and Plasma Cortisol ConcentrationMayara Andrioli0Joseph K. Grajales-Cedeño1Aline C. Sant’Anna2João A. Negrão3Mateus J. R. Paranhos da Costa4Graduate Program in Animal Science and Research Group in Ethology and Animal Ecology, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, UNESP, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, BrazilGraduate Program in Animal Science and Research Group in Ethology and Animal Ecology, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, UNESP, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, BrazilDepartment of Animal Science and Research Group in Ethology and Animal Ecology, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, UNESP, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, BrazilCNPq—Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Brasilia 71605-001, DF, BrazilDepartment of Animal Science and Research Group in Ethology and Animal Ecology, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, UNESP, Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, BrazilThe reactivity of primiparous goats during milking can significantly affect animal welfare and performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the progression of milking reactivity during lactation and its effects at early lactation on milk yield, milk quality, and plasma cortisol concentration in primiparous Saanen goats. The milking reactivity of 31 primiparous Saanen goats was evaluated on days 10, 30, and 60 of the lactation period by scoring step-kick behavior (SK) and head, ear, and tail movements (MOV). Milk yield, milk protein and fat percentages, somatic cell count (SCC), and plasma cortisol concentration were measured on day 10 of lactation. Goats’ milking reactivity was classified as low or high (according to the SK and MOV scores measured on day 10 of lactation). SK and MOV scores decreased over the lactation period, indicating that the goats habituated to the milking procedures. Milking reactivity only affected milk fat percentage, with the less reactive goats having more milk fat than the highly reactive ones. There was no evidence of stress when goats were subjected to milking procedures during early lactation. Further studies are needed to clarify the relationships of milking reactivity with stress response and their effects on milk yield and quality.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/23/3365cortisolmilk fatmilk proteinsomatic cell counttemperament
spellingShingle Mayara Andrioli
Joseph K. Grajales-Cedeño
Aline C. Sant’Anna
João A. Negrão
Mateus J. R. Paranhos da Costa
Milking Reactivity in Primiparous Saanen Goats During Early Lactation: Effects on Milk Yield, Milk Quality and Plasma Cortisol Concentration
Animals
cortisol
milk fat
milk protein
somatic cell count
temperament
title Milking Reactivity in Primiparous Saanen Goats During Early Lactation: Effects on Milk Yield, Milk Quality and Plasma Cortisol Concentration
title_full Milking Reactivity in Primiparous Saanen Goats During Early Lactation: Effects on Milk Yield, Milk Quality and Plasma Cortisol Concentration
title_fullStr Milking Reactivity in Primiparous Saanen Goats During Early Lactation: Effects on Milk Yield, Milk Quality and Plasma Cortisol Concentration
title_full_unstemmed Milking Reactivity in Primiparous Saanen Goats During Early Lactation: Effects on Milk Yield, Milk Quality and Plasma Cortisol Concentration
title_short Milking Reactivity in Primiparous Saanen Goats During Early Lactation: Effects on Milk Yield, Milk Quality and Plasma Cortisol Concentration
title_sort milking reactivity in primiparous saanen goats during early lactation effects on milk yield milk quality and plasma cortisol concentration
topic cortisol
milk fat
milk protein
somatic cell count
temperament
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/23/3365
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