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Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 68 No. 10 2694-2703
© 1985 by American Dairy Science Association ®
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Milk Production, Health, Behavior, and Endocrine Responses of Cows Exposed to Electrical Current During Milking

D. V. Henke Drenkard, R. C. Gorewit, N. R. Scott and R. Sagi1

Departments of Agricultural Engineering and Animal Science, New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853

ABSTRACT

Six cows were exposed during milkings to electrical current to assess its effects on behavior, health, milking performance, and endocrine responses. Three treatments (0, 4, and 8 mA) were applied in a changeover design over three consecutive 1-wk periods. A cow received the same current treatment during 14 consecutive milkings, beginning with the evening milking (d 1) and ending with the morning milking (d 8). Treatments began 5 min before milking and continued until milking unit removal. Treatments consisted of 60 Hz square wave current of 5-s duration applied every 30 s from udder to hooves. Milk accumulation curves provided information about milk yields, milking times, peak milk flow rates, and times of peak milk flow. Residual milk yields also were measured. Milk was analyzed for protein, fat, and somatic cells. Blood samples from 60 min before to 60 min after treatment were collected, and oxytocin, prolactin, and cortisol concentrations were measured. Behavioral responses to current decreased with time. Changes of milking performance and milk composition were not significant. Changes of milking related cortisol responses during 8-mA current stimulation were significant. Oxytocin release was delayed during 8-mA treatments, Current treatments did not affect prolactin.

FOOTNOTES

1 Department of Agricultural Engineering (Israel Institute of Technology), Haifa 32000, Israel.






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Copyright © 1985 by the American Dairy Science Association ®.