HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Stelwagen, K. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Stelwagen, K.

Effect of Milking Frequency on Mammary Functioning and Shape of the Lactation Curve

AgResearch, Ruakura Research Centre, Private Bag 3123, Hamilton, New Zealand

E-mail: stelwagen{at}agresearch.cri.nz

ABSTRACT

Milk yield is a function of the number of mammary secretory cells and their metabolic activity. Both are not static, but change during the course of lactation. The rate at which they change may be influenced by farm management practices, such as feeding, photoperiod, hormonal treatment (e.g., bovine somatotropin), and milking frequency. By applying such practices, or a combination thereof, at any time during lactation, the farmer has tools to alter the shape of the lactation curve. These practices could be applied after peak lactation to increase milk yield and perhaps slow down the rate of postpeak decline in milk yield, but can also be used to promote mammary involution near drying-off. The present review focuses on milking frequency. Compared with twicedaily milking, milking three times a day or more often (robotic milking) will increase milk yield by 18%, whereas once-daily milking decreases milk output by 20%. Although frequent milking is practiced more often than once daily, the once-daily milked gland provides an excellent model to study functional changes related to milking frequency. The effects of increasing and decreasing milking frequency on mammary functioning are discussed, with emphasis on functional changes in the once-daily milked gland with regard to processes such as changing cell number or activity, feedbackinhibition, tight junction leakiness, apoptosis, and cisternalalveolar milk storage.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. A. Blevins, J. E. Shirley, and J. S. Stevenson Milking frequency, estradiol cypionate, and somatotropin influence lactation and reproduction in dairy cows. J Dairy Sci, November 1, 2006; 89(11): 4176 - 4187. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Delamaire and J. Guinard-Flament Longer milking intervals alter mammary epithelial permeability and the Udder's ability to extract nutrients. J Dairy Sci, June 1, 2006; 89(6): 2007 - 2016. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Wiking, J. H. Nielsen, A.-K. Bavius, A. Edvardsson, and K. Svennersten-Sjaunja Impact of milking frequencies on the level of free fatty acids in milk, fat globule size, and fatty acid composition. J Dairy Sci, March 1, 2006; 89(3): 1004 - 1009. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Caja, M. Ayadi, and C. H. Knight Changes in Cisternal Compartment Based on Stage of Lactation and Time Since Milk Ejection in the Udder of Dairy Cows J Dairy Sci, August 1, 2004; 87(8): 2409 - 2415. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. R. Grummer and R. R. Rastani Why Reevaluate Dry Period Length? J Dairy Sci, July 1, 2004; 87(13_suppl): E77 - 85. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. E. Dahl, R. L. Wallace, R. D. Shanks, and D. Lueking Hot Topic: Effects of Frequent Milking in Early Lactation on Milk Yield and Udder Health J Dairy Sci, April 1, 2004; 87(4): 882 - 885. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Ayadi, G. Caja, X. Such, and C. H. Knight Effect of Omitting One Milking Weekly on Lactational Performances and Morphological Udder Changes in Dairy Cows J Dairy Sci, July 1, 2003; 86(7): 2352 - 2358. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. Vetharaniam, S. R. Davis, T. K. Soboleva, P. R. Shorten, and G. C. Wake Modeling the Interaction of Milking Frequency and Nutrition on Mammary Gland Growth and Lactation J Dairy Sci, June 1, 2003; 86(6): 1987 - 1996. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Boutinaud, C. Rousseau, D. H. Keisler, and H. Jammes Growth Hormone and Milking Frequency Act Differently on Goat Mammary Gland in Late Lactation J Dairy Sci, February 1, 2003; 86(2): 509 - 520. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. C. McKusick, D. L. Thomas, Y. M. Berger, and P. G. Marnet Effect of Milking Interval on Alveolar Versus Cisternal Milk Accumulation and Milk Production and Composition in Dairy Ewes J Dairy Sci, September 1, 2002; 85(9): 2197 - 2206. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]