THE EFFECT OF ADRENOCORTICOTROPHIC HORMONE ON THE YIELD AND COMPOSITION OF THE MILK OF THE COW

Abstract

SUMMARY A long-acting preparation of ACTH depressed the milk yields of cows when given in single doses of 100 or 200 i.u., or when a 100 i.u. dose was given every second day, and the extent of the decline in milk yield was correlated with the percentage reduction in the number of circulating eosinophils. Milk yields returned to or almost to pre-treatment levels soon after the cessation of treatment. The composition of the milk was changed only slightly as a result of ACTH administration, the butterfat and protein content being increased, while the lactose content showed a small, but not statistically significant, fall. The quantities of sodium and potassium showed no change which could be attributed to the treatment.