Milk production in Saanen goats treated with repeated low doses of intermediate-release insulin during early lactation

Erika Bezerra De Menezes,Maria Gorete Flores Salles,Airton Alencar De Araújo,Davide Rondina,César Carneiro Linhares Fernandes,Cleidson Manoel Gomes Da Silva,Giovanna Galeati

doi:10.1590/0103-8478cr20180340

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The effect of insulin administration on the productive responses of Saanen goats during early lactation was investigated. Ten of 20 adult females were subjected to subcutaneous administration of intermediate-acting insulin (0.14UI/kg body weight) at 2, 9, and 14 days postpartum. Milk yield was measured twice daily for 13 weeks and milk samples were collected to measure protein and fat contents. Plasma levels of progesterone, insulin, non-esterifies fatty acids, glucose and other metabolites were measured. Results showed a significantly increased effect of insulin treatment on the content of milk fat and protein; moreover, milk production in the first and second postpartum weeks were higher than control group. The peak of lactation in the insulin group was achieved one week earlier in comparison to the control group. In addition, the milk production rate showed lower persistency (milk yield 13 week/milk yield at peak) in the same group. During the first four weeks of postpartum, treated animals showed greater weight loss and higher non-esterified fatty acid concentration, whereas no effect was observed on the concentration of progesterone and other metabolites. The above results indicated that repeated administration of insulin in dairy goats during early lactation increase yield and qualitative components of milk, but has substantial consequences on animal productive rate and metabolic response.

Highlights

In goats, as well as other ruminants, the period between parturition and peak of lactation is characterized by prolonged negative energy balance (NEB) and represents a crucial point for the entire productive cycle of females (TOVAR-LUNA et al, 2010)
Results obtained in the present study have shown that repeated low doses of intermediate release
Milk production in Saanen goats treated with repeated low doses of intermediate-release insulin during early lactation

Summary

Introduction

As well as other ruminants, the period between parturition and peak of lactation is characterized by prolonged negative energy balance (NEB) and represents a crucial point for the entire productive cycle of females (TOVAR-LUNA et al, 2010). V.49, n.3, several studies have suggested that optimizing nutrient uptake altered concentrations of this metabolic hormone (MOLENTO et al, 2005) This approach appears to be consistent, in many tropical areas, where the main drawback of dairy husbandry is sustaining alimentary intake at high temperatures and where the programs of high-energy diets to properly nourish the animals with high-quality feed are often competitive with human diet. It is hypothesized that both treatment intensities can influence milk quality Based on this information, the aim of this study was to verify the effect of repeated administration of low doses of insulin during early lactation on the productive responses of Saanen goats raised in a tropical area of northeastern Brazil

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion