GALACTOGENIC AND REPRODUCTIVE CHANGES AFTER HORMONAL INDUCTION OF LACTATION IN ABANDONED COWS
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Date
2013-10
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CSKHPKV, Palampur
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present study evaluated efficacy, udder secretory characteristics, milk quality and change
in reproduction status following artificial induction of lactation using two different protocols. The Protocol
1 comprised of diethylstilbestrol, hydroxyl progesterone caproate, dexamethasone and reserpine
administered over a 19 day period in 23 cows (20 raised in goshalas G1; 3 by individual farmers G2).
Protocol 2 did not have reserpine; the remaining drugs, alike the first protocol, were administered over a 13
day period in 22 cows (19 raised in goshalas G3; 3 by individual farmers G4). All the cows, primarily
Jersey crossbreds, were infertile, non-pregnant (cycling: n = 44; anestrus: n = 1) and non-lactating. The day
of first injection was considered as day 1. Induction of lactation was successful (milk production of 1L/d)
in 30%, 100%, 21% and 100% respondents in G1, G2, G3 and G4, respectively. Initiation of lactation
began from day 10.0 ± 1.7 to day 12.3 ± 1.4 and did not differ between groups. There was a progressive
increase in milk yield from day 15 to day 75 recorded at 15 day intervals. The milk yield between G1
versus G3 and G2 versus G4 was similar, but higher (P=0.10 atleast) in the latter subset of cows. The
maximum yield (L/d) was 2.50 ± 0.3, 5.20 ± 1.30, 1.57 ± 0.19 and 5.2 ± 1.5 in G1, G2, G3 and G4,
respectively and was observed at day 60 or 75. Failure of induction in non-respondents and low milk yield
in G1 and G3 was probably due to a low live weight and/or BCS. Another group of 5 normal postpartum
cows (control) was compared with the induced cows for certain plasma and milk parameters. The plasma
and milk concentrations of Na, K and Mg did not differ much at days 5, 15, 30, 35, 50 and 75, except for a
varyingly low plasma and milk Ca in G1 and G3. The milk estrogen declined from day 15 or 30 and did not
differ amongst groups at days 50 and 75. The milk progesterone was low (P<0.01) in control than the
induced groups, each of which, however, did not differ at different lactation days. The plasma IGF-1
concentrations were higher than milk at day 5 and 35. The milk IGF-1 concentrations declined from day 5
to day 35 in the control and induced cows. The specific gravity and fat percentage between control and
induced milk was similar on days 15, 30 and 50. The reproductive status of all the induced cows in the
gaushalas did not change, whereas 3 out of 6 cows with farmers became pregnant.
In conclusion, the cows with farmers than in gaushalas exhibited a greater success and more
milk, with no additional benefit of reserpine. The milk appeared to be safe for human consumption after 30
days of induction. Settling of pregnancies in the infertile cows was the added advantage of induced
lactation.
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