Effect of milking interval on secretion rate and composition of camel milk in late lactation

Abstract

SummaryThe effect of milking interval on secretion rates of milk and milk constituents was studied in four milking camels during late lactation. An interval of 4 h produced the highest milk secretion rate compared with 8, 12 and 16 h intervals, and rates tended to decline with increasing milking intervals. Secretion rates of organic (lactose, SNF, fat and protein) and inorganic milk constituents (sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium) generally followed similar patterns of decreasing secretion with increasing milking intervals. Many of the values for different intervals were significantly different.