Milking Temperament Influence on Production Performance and Plasma Hormones in Sahiwal Cows

Abstract

Present study was conducted to explore the effect of milking temperament on milking attributes like milk let down time, milking time, milk flow rate, milk yield, composition in relation to plasma cortisol level and reproductive performance in Sahiwal cows. The experiment was carried out on 88 lactating healthy Sahiwal cows in hot-humid (38) and winter (58) season. The milking temperament was scored and the cows were grouped as docile and restless. Milking attributes like milk let down time, milking time and milking rate was determined in each season. Plasma cortisol was estimated and the reproductive performance of all the animals was recorded. Milking temperament did not influence milk let down time, milking time, total milking time, milk flow rate and milk yield in both the seasons of experiment however, fat (P<0.01) and total solids (P<0.05) were higher in restless animals as compared to docile in hot-humid season. Mean body condition score (BCS) was non-significant between the group (p>0.05) in both the seasons. Mean milk SCC was lower (P<0.01) in docile as compared to restless animals in hot-humid season, but did not vary in winter season. Plasma cortisol level was significantly lower (P<0.01) and IGF-I, IgG was lower (P<0.01) in docile animals than the restless in both the seasons. Docile cows exhibited first post-partum heat earlier (P<0.05) and had less service period (P<0.01) than the restless. It was concluded that temperament at milking influences milk fat %, total solids and SCC of milk. Restless temperament of Sahiwal cows at milking lead to elevated plasma cotisol and lower IGF-I hormone level in Sahiwal cows which are associated with milk production.