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Histological Changes During Involution of the Mammary Glands of Ovariectomized and Intact Lactating Goats¹

Department of Animal Husbandry, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

ABSTRACT

Udders were removed from intact and ovariectomized lactating goats at various times after parturition, to determine the histological changes occurring during involution and the effect of ovariectomy on involution. It was found that ovariectomy and sham ovariectomy caused a drop in milk production, but that ovariectomy did not retard involution after the animals recovered from the operation. The total alveolar surface area decreased in proportion to the milk production. The correlation coefficient between previous 4-wk milk production and total alveolar surface area was high. The decrease in the alveolar surface area is probably the most important cause of the decline in milk production. No histological abnormalities or other histological differences were observed between groups or times of udder removal. No increase in connective tissue was found during the involution process.

¹ Supported in part by funds provided by the regional project NE-41, Endocrine Factors Affecting Reproduction and Lactation in Dairy Cattle, a cooperative study by Agricultural Experiment Stations in the Northeastern Region and the Dairy Husbandry Research Branch, ARS, USDA.