Udder characteristics and effects of pulsation rate on milking machine efficiency in donkeys

Abstract

Very little is known about the udder characteristics, partitioning of milk in the mammary gland and efficiency of machine milking in donkeys. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of the udder and teats, milk yield in relation to pulsation rates (90, 120 and 150 cycles/min), milk partitioning in the mammary gland, composition of the spontaneously removed and residual milk fractions and milking efficiency. Forty-one healthy Martina Franca jennies in the third month of lactation and routinely milked twice daily were used in three studies. Udder characteristics were evaluated by direct measurements and ultrasonographic scanning. Residual milk was obtained by milking after an oxytocin administration (40 IU i.m.). The prevalent shapes were 'bowl' for udders and 'conical' for teats. After milking the udder characteristics decreased within a range from -11·6% (udder depth) to -25·7% (diameter of teat at the base). The internal structures of the udder resulted as several pockets of ducts empting directly into the teat. The pulsation rate of 120 cycles/min improved (P<0·05) the milk yield in comparison to the 90 and 150 cycles/min, reduced the residual milk fraction, thus improved (P<0·05) milking efficiency. Residual milk composition had higher (P<0·05) fat content and somatic cell count than the spontaneously removed milk fraction. The udders revealed several pockets of ducts empting into the teat instead of a single cisternal cavity and showed a certain compliance. The use of 120 cycles/min pulsation rate improved milking efficiency.

Survey of biochemical and oxidative profile in donkey foals suckled with one natural and one semi-artificial technique

“…In fact, this practice leads foals to intake water, hay and concentrate before they can take and digest it in adequate quantities for their needs in the first months of life, resulting in an alteration of natural suckling that could even induce some alterations in animal welfare and physiology [ 1 ]. It is known that the equid udder has a lower storage capability compared with ruminants and is more adapted to frequent milk removal [ 6 ]. This aspect is strictly linked to the high suckling frequency of foals if compared to other domestic ruminants [ 7 ].…”

Mammary gland physiology and farm management of dairy mares and jennies

“…In fact, this practice leads foals to ingest water, hay, and concentrate before they can digest it in adequate quantities to meet their needs in the first months of life, resulting in a reduction in suckling frequency that could induce some alterations regarding animal welfare and physiology. The equid udder has a lower storage capacity (<2.5 L) than ruminants and is more adapted to frequent milk removal (D'Alessandro et al, 2015). This is tightly linked to the high suckling frequency of foals compared with other domestic ruminants (De Palo et al, 2018a) and could explain the lower SCC and the rare occurrence of mastitis in equines compared with ruminants (Hughes, 2021).…”

An Integrated Analysis of Lactation-Related miRNA and mRNA Expression Profiles in Donkey Mammary Glands

“…The mammary gland of jennies is characterized by small volumes, and milk is mainly alveolar [ 5 ]. The mammary gland is a complex organ, which synthesizes, secretes, stores, and releases milk; these physiological functions constitute “lactation performance”, which is regulated by an unusually high level of postnatal development during puberty and the reproductive cycle [ 6 ].…”