Duration Of Suckling Research Articles

Male and female pups of the highly sexually dimorphic northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) differ slightly in body size

In mammals, males generally are larger than females, though such sexual-size differences have been documented primarily in adults and are relatively poorly known in early life. We studied sexual-size differences in pups of the northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris (Gill, 1866)), which in adulthood is one of the most sexually dimorphic mammals. We studied body size at birth and weaning, at Islas San Benito, Mexico, at the southernmost limit of the species’ breeding range. Males were 10% heavier and 2% longer than females at birth. Sexes did not differ significantly in either measure of body size at weaning, although males were slightly heavier (4%) and longer (1%) than females. Neither growth rate nor suckling duration differed between the sexes. In previous studies in California, USA, pups at weaning were heavier than in our study, and males were heavier than females. These differences may reflect ecological, temporal, or life-history differences across populations. The modest difference in sexual-size dimorphism early in life in this species compared with the great difference in adulthood likely reflects multiple selective forces, including constraints on neonatal size set by body size of females, and the weakness of sexual selection at that stage of life.

Suckling behaviour and health parameters of sows and piglets in free-farrowing pens

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of free-farrowing pens and farrowing crates on the health parameters and the suckling behaviour of sows and their piglets, which were housed in farrowing crates (FC; n = 127) and in free-farrowing pens (FP; n = 121). All sows were evaluated regarding their body condition, locomotion, skin lesions of the udder and developmental stages of shoulder ulcers one week ante partum and four weeks post-partum. The piglets were scored concerning skin lesions of the face and of the carpus in week one of lactation and in week four of lactation. The FC sows had a higher incidence of locomotion problems and skin lesions of the udder four weeks post-partum (p < 0.05). In addition, piglets of the FC sows showed more skin lesions of the face and had more skin lesions of the carpus in week one of lactation and in week four of lactation, respectively (p < 0.05). For all piglets of both housing systems skin lesions of the face decreased during lactation, whereas skin lesions of the carpus increased (p < 0.05). With regard to the suckling behaviour, video observations of twenty-four sows (FP: n = 12; FC: n = 12) and their litters on lactation day four were analysed concerning the suckling duration, suckling frequency and suckling termination. For each housing system, six sows with litters with a low level of facial lesions and six sows with litters with a high level of facial lesions were chosen to investigate the influence of the suckling behaviour on the facial lesions of the piglets. The suckling duration per suckling bout was longer in the FP systems than in the FC systems (FP: 6.81 min vs. FC: 5.95 min; p < 0.05). Moreover, sows with litters with a low level of facial lesions terminated suckling less frequently (p < 0.05). In conclusion, keeping sows in free-farrowing pens can have a positive effect on the sows’ health by reducing the incidence of locomotion problems and skin lesions of the udder, as well as skin lesions of the face and skin lesions of the carpus of the piglets. Furthermore, the results show that the housing system has an influence on suckling duration and the incidence of skin lesions of the face of the piglets has an influence on sows’ terminations of suckling.

Validation of accelerometer use to measure suckling behaviour in Northern Australian beef calves

Knowledge of suckling behaviour in beef calves is important for understanding the health and wellbeing of both cows and calves. The present study was conducted to explore the use of tri-axial accelerometers to identify suckling bouts and suckling duration per bout in beef calves under free-range conditions. Three experiments were conducted: Experiment 1 was conducted to develop a model to characterise suckling in calves; Experiments 2 and 3 were conducted to apply the model when cattle were managed in pastoral paddock conditions. One Holstein Friesian and one Droughtmaster cow-calf pair were used in Experiment 1 for 2 days. The tri-axial accelerometer was fitted to a neck collar of the Droughtmaster calf and at the bottom and the right side of a halter on a Holstein Friesian calf on consecutive days. The initial model was developed using data collected from one calf for one day only to classify accelerometer data into suckling and non-suckling periods. In Experiment 2, 24 Belmont Red calves with accelerometers attached on the right side of the halters were visually observed for 10 days. The model was applied to raw data obtained through use of the accelerometers and the model could be used to successfully identify 98.8% of suckling bouts when compared with visually recorded behavioural data. The average suckling duration per bout recorded by accelerometers was 9.72 ± 0.20 min, whereas visually it was 9.32 ± 0.19 min. In Experiment 3, 20 Brahman calves fitted with accelerometers were visually observed for 6 h for 3 consecutive days. The model could be used to identify 95% of suckling bouts from the accelerometer data, corresponding to total number of suckling bouts observed visually. The average suckling duration per bout recorded by accelerometers was 13.69 ± 1.82 min, while with visual observations was 12.23 ± 1.77 min. The results indicate that accelerometers are a very effective tool to record suckling behaviour in beef calves in pastoral paddock conditions.

ETHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF MOTHER-PUP INTERACTIONS AND OTHER BEHAVIORAL REACTIONS IN RATS: EFFECTS OF MALNUTRITION AND TACTILE STIMULATION OF THE PUPS

Mother-pup interaction, as well as other behavioral reactions were studied during the lactation period in 24 litters of Wistar rats and their dams fed either a 16% (control - C; 12 litters) or a 6% (malnourished - M; 12 litters) protein diet. The diets were isocaloric. Throughout lactation there was a 36.4% weight loss of M dams and a 63% body weight deficit in the M pups when compared to control pups. During this period, half of the litters were exposed daily to additional tactile stimulation (CS or MS), while the other half were submitted to normal rearing conditions (CN or MN). The tactile stimulation of pups (handling) consisted of holding the animal in one hand and gently touching the dorsal part of the animal's body with the fingers for 3 min. A special camera and a time-lapse video were used to record litter behavior in their home cages. Starting at 6 p.m. and ending at 6 a.m., on days 3, 6, 12, 15, 18 and 21 of lactation, photos were taken at 4-s intervals. An increase in the frequency (154.88 ± 16.19) and duration (455.86 ± 18.05 min) of suckling was observed throughout the lactation period in all groups compared to birth day (frequency 24.88 ± 2.37 and duration 376.76 ± 21.01 min), but the frequency was higher in the C (84.96 ± 8.52) than in the M group (43.13 ± 4.37); however, the M group (470.2 ± 11.87 min) spent more time suckling as compared with the C group (393.67 ± 13.09 min). The M dams showed a decreased frequency of resting position throughout the lactation period (6.5 ± 2.48) compared to birth day (25.42 ± 7.74). Pups from the C group were more frequently observed separated (73.02 ± 4.38) and interacting (258.99 ± 20.61) more with their mothers than the M pups (separated 66.94 ± 5.5 and interacting 165.72 ± 12.05). Tactile stimulation did not interact with diet condition, showing that the kind of stimulation used in the present study did not lead to recovery from the changes induced by protein malnutrition. The changes in mother-pup interaction produced by protein malnutrition of both may represent retardation in neuromotor development and a higher dependence of the pups on their mothers. These changes may represent an important means of energy saving and heat maintenance in malnourished pups. Keywords: protein malnutrition, tactile stimulation, mother-pup interaction.

A review of traditional knowledge on foods and plants supposed to increase lactation in pregnant women: A descriptive study

Background: While both the proportion of infants exclusively fed breast milk and the duration of suckling increased worldwide and in Turkey, the addition of another product to breast milk in the first six months of the infant's life is still widespread.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a descriptive, cross-sectional study to identify the traditional methods intending to increase breast milk in pregnancy. The sample group consisted of 100 pregnant women in their last trimester who visited the obstetrical outpatient clinics of a State Hospital of Zonguldak. Data were collected on a data collection form during a face to face interview.Results: The methods for increasing lactation in pregnant women that the subjects had heard about consisted of the ingestion of abundant water and fluid food (94.0%), green leafy vegetables (such as lettuce) (38%), sweet foods (26%) and milk or other dairy items (19%). Of the pregnant women questioned, 19.0% declared that they would not do anything in particular to increase their milk, 33% that they would drink more fluids, 14% that they would ingest apricot compost and 12% herbal teas. No significant differences among groups were detected between age, educational status, family type, parity and live children number on one side and the subjects' planning to use special foods or fluids (p&gt;0.05).Conclusion: The subjects believed that in addition to an abundant consumption of water and fluid foods, seen as essential, eating green leafy vegetables, chiefly lettuce, and a particular type of sesame halva would increase lactation.Keywords: Breast feeding, galactagogues, traditional methods, traditional knowledge

Effects of suckling duration on growth, slaughtering and carcass quality characteristics of Kivircik lambs.

Effects of suckling length (45, 75 and 120days) and birth type (single and twin) on lamb growth, slaughtering and carcass quality characteristics were investigated using 40 Kivircik lambs. SC-45 and SC-75 lambs were weaned at 45 and 75days of age, respectively, whilst SC-120 lambs remained with their mothers until the end of the experimental period. Lambs from all studied groups were slaughtered at 120days of age. Weaning treatment caused a decrease in average daily gain in SC-45 and SC-75 lambs, and therefore, final weight was higher in SC-120 lambs than lambs from weaned groups. SC-120 lambs had higher empty body weight, cold carcass weight, dressing percentage, carcass measurements, carcass fatness (proportions of the kidney knob and channel fat, subcutaneous and intramuscular fat in pelvic limb) and non-carcass fatness (omental and mesenteric fat proportion) than weaned lambs. As a conclusion, the potential losses in meat production due to weaning should be considered before deciding the weaning of lambs at early ages.

Inter-individual variation in weaning among rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta): Serum stable isotope indicators of suckling duration and lactation.

Weaning is a transition in early development with major implications for infant survival and well-being, and for maternal lifetime reproductive success. The particular strategy a primate mother adopts in rearing her offspring represents a negotiation between her ability to invest and her need to invest, and can be considered adaptive and influenced by biological and social factors. Any investigation into how and why maternal weaning strategies differ among non-human primates is limited by the precision of the measurement tool used to assess infants' weaning ages. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of soft tissues (e.g., hair, nails, feces, urine, blood) offers an objective means of monitoring the weaning status of infants. In this study, we assess stable isotope ratios in blood serum from 14 captive rhesus macaque dyads (Macaca mulatta) at infant ages 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10 months to estimate the timing of weaning events. Male infants wean earlier than female infants. Infants with the lowest birth weights wean latest. Most infants wean upon reaching 2.5 times their birth weights, sooner than when weaning elsewhere has been predicted for captive cercopithecine primates. The longest weaning periods (ca. 10 months) are observed among infants of small mothers. The shortest weaning period, between 2 and 5 months, was among the lowest ranking dyad. Parity and mothers' ages had no discernible effect on the timing of weaning events. The stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values of dams during lactation are significantly different than those of a non-lactating adult female outgroup, raising questions about the suitability and selection of adult comparative baselines in studies where lactating mothers cannot be sampled longitudinally (e.g., bioarchaeology; paleontology). Am. J. Primatol. 78:1113-1134, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Equal care for own versus adopted infant in tufted capuchins (Sapajus spp.).

This study describes a case of adoption by a female tufted capuchin (Sapajus spp.) who spontaneously adopted a newborn immediately after he was abandoned, then raised him successfully with her own infant. For 7 weeks, we observed the adoptive mother, the adoptee (3 days old at the time of adoption) and the biological infant (4 days old) in order to compare the behavior of the female towards each infant. We focused our attention on different maternal behavioral patterns: grooming, carrying and cuddling behaviors, and we also considered suckling and independent locomotion by the infants. Our results showed no difference in the active care of the adoptive mother. The only significant distinction found between the two infants concerned suckling durations, which were seen to be longer for the adoptee than for the biological infant. We suggested that this could be linked to the gender of the infants, the male adoptee having greater need for milk than the biological daughter.

Colostrum production in sows fed different sources of fiber and fat during late gestation

Krogh, U., Bruun, T. S., Amdi, C., Flummer, C., Poulsen, J. and Theil, P. K. 2015. Colostrum production in sows fed different sources of fiber and fat during late gestation. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 211–223. The objective was to study yield and composition of colostrum and transient milk from 36 second-parity sows fed a standard lactation diet (CON) low in fiber or one of two high-fiber diets based on sugar beet pulp (SBP) or alfalfa meal (ALF), combined with one of three fat sources, palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD), soybean oil (SOYO) or trioctanoate (C8TG) from day 105 of gestation onward. Sows were milked at 0, 12, 24 and 36 h relative to onset of parturition. Jugular vein blood was collected on day 112 of gestation. Plasma acetate content was affected by dietary fiber and fat treatment (P&lt;0.05), indicating altered intermediary metabolism. Colostrum yield, predicted from piglet birth weight, suckling duration and weight gain, was unaffected by dietary treatments (P&gt;0.10). Colostral (24 h) and transient milk dry matter contents were greater in SOYO compared with PFAD and C8TG sows (P&lt;0.05). Colostrum (12 and 24 h) and transient milk lactose contents were greatest in CON-fed sows compared with sows fed ALF or SBP diets (P&lt;0.05). In conclusion, nutrition in late gestation affected the intermediary metabolism and colostrum composition, but did not affect colostrum yield of sows.

Daytime mother-calf relationships in reticulated giraffes (Giraffa cameloparadalis reticulate) at the Kyoto City Zoo.

The present study quantitatively assesses the relationships between a reticulated giraffe mother and her first- and second-born calves during the first 22 months of the older calf's and the first 12 months of the younger calf's life at the Kyoto City Zoo, Japan. The mother permitted her calves to suckle at over 70% of their suckling attempts in the first month after their births, and the calves ceased suckling spontaneously in 65 to 70% of the suckling bouts. From the second month on, she showed a clear tendency to reject the calves' suckling attempts and terminated almost all of their suckling bouts, which resulted in approximately 60 sec or less of suckling duration per bout. The frequency of proximity between the mother and her calves remained at 20 to 30% throughout the first year, with no apparent developmental changes being evident. The mother was mainly responsible for terminating proximity by walking away from her calves throughout their first year after birth, while both calves were mainly responsible for attempting proximity by approaching their mother after reaching 2 months of age. Our study also showed that the giraffe mother became pregnant again while nursing her calves and ceased lactation (i.e., weaned the calves) before the fetus's growth started accelerating.

Pen size and parity effects on maternal behaviour of Small-Tail Han sheep

The aim of this experiment was to study the effects of pen size and parity on maternal behaviour of twin-bearing Small-Tail Han ewes. A total of 24 ewes were allocated to a 2×2 design (six per pen), with parity (primiparous or multiparous) and pen size (large: 6.0×3.0 m; small: 6.0×1.5 m) as main effects at Linyi University, Shandong Province, China. Behaviour was observed from after parturition until weaning. All ewes were observed for 6 h every 5 days from 0700 to1000 h and from 1400 to 1700 h. Continuous focal animal sampling was used to quantify the duration of maternal behaviours: sucking, grooming and following as well as the frequency of udder accepting, udder refusing and low-pitched bleating. Oestradiol and cortisol concentrations in the faeces (collected in the morning every 5 days) were detected using EIA kits. All lambs were weighed 24 h after parturition and again at weaning at 35 days of age. The small pen size significantly reduced following (P<0.005), grooming (P<0.001) and suckling durations (P<0.05), as well as the frequency of udder refusals (P<0.001). However, there was a significant interaction with ewe parity, with decreased grooming and suckling in the small pen largely seen in the multiparous ewes (P<0.001). Independent of pen size, multiparous ewes accepted more sucking attempts by their lambs (P<0.05) and made more low-pitched bleats than primiparous ewes (P<0.001). Multiparous ewes had higher faecal oestradiol concentrations than primiparous ewes (P<0.001), and ewes in small pens had higher faecal cortisol levels compared with ewes in larger pens (P<0.001). As lambs increased in age, the duration of maternal grooming, following and suckling as well as frequency of udder acceptance and low-pitched bleating all declined, and the frequency of udder refusing increased (P<0.001 for all). Ewe parity, but not pen size, affected lamb weight gain during the period of observation (P<0.001). This is the first study to show that pen size, interacting with parity, can affect the expression of maternal behaviour in sheep during lactation. The study is also the first to report on the maternal behaviour of Chinese native sheep breeds (Small-Tail Han sheep), with implications for the production of sheep in China.

Effect of pre- and post-partum sow activity on maternal behaviour and piglet weight gain 24 h after birth

Within the 24h prior to parturition sows are active and motivated to perform nest-building behaviour. The aim of this study was to investigate: (i) whether pre-partum activity (e.g. nesting and postural changes) could predict maternal behaviour 24h post-partum (pp) and weight gain 24h pp, and (ii) whether post-partum activity (post-partum nesting and postural changes) affect parts of the maternal behaviour 24 pp (e.g. first suckling, udder access, suckling duration) and piglet weight gain 24h pp. Fifteen sows were housed in modified straw-bedded “walk-around” farrowing crates. Pre-partum nesting events and postural changes were recorded 24h before parturition. During parturition the number of nesting behaviour and latency of the first sucking of the whole litter were recorded. Number of postural changes and duration of udder access were recorded 24h after birth of the first piglet (BFP) during three time periods (during parturition, from the end of parturition to 12h after BFP, and 12–24h after BFP). The duration of suckling and sow responsiveness on the playback of piglets’ scream were recorded during two time periods (from the end of parturition to 12h after BFP, and 12–24h after BFP). Piglet BW gain was estimated 24h after BFP. Data were analysed using proc GLM and MIXED and the probability of sow responsiveness using proc GENMOD in SAS. Pre-partum nesting 4h before BFP was related with longer latency of the first sucking (P<0.01), with shorter duration of suckling (P<0.05) and with lower piglet BW gain (P<0.05). More nesting after BFP was associated with a lower probability to react towards the playback of piglets’ screams (P<0.05). However more postural changes after BFP were associated with a higher probability to react towards the playback of piglets’ screams (P<0.05). More postural changes during parturition were related with higher piglet BW gain (P<0.05), but more postural changes during 12–24h after BFP were related with lower piglet BW gain (P<0.01). No other relationships were detected between pre-partum nesting and maternal behaviour within the 24h after BFP. High occurrence of pre-partum nesting 4h before parturition, but not more pre-partum postural changes, may be an early indicator for impaired suckling behaviour and lower weight gain during the first 24h post-partum.

Treatment of maternal hypergalactia.

Treatment of maternal hypergalactia.

The relation of maternal fluid balance to offspring passive immunity

The objectives were to measure changes in fluid balance of mares at parturition and relate those changes to the foals' acquisition of passive immunity.Twelve Thoroughbred mares and their foals were observed for suckling behavior for the first 12h post-partum. The mare's water intake, packed cell volume, plasma protein concentration, and plasma osmolality were measured pre- and post-partum. The foals' immunoglobulin concentrations were measured at birth and 24h later.The median increase from pre- to post-foaling in mares' packed cell volume was 4.0% (interquartile range=0.3–6.8). The median increases in plasma protein and plasma osmolality after foaling were 0.9 (0.5–1.4)g/dL and 2.5 (0.8–6.0)milliosm/kg, respectively. Median daily water intake was 13.8 (7.6–20.8)L before and 42.1 (26.2–61.4)L 24h after foaling. The foals' IgG at 24h was significantly correlated with their dam's water intake in the 12h following parturition (r=0.66, P=0.039). The median duration of suckling during the first 4h of the foals' lives was 20 (5–85)min and 85 (42–220)min during the first 12h. The median number of suckling bouts was 34 (11–71) during the first 12h after birth.

Maternal offspring behaviour in Curraleiro Pé Duro naturalized cattle in Brazil

The objective of the present study consisted of describing dam and calf suckling behaviour of Curraleiro Pé Duro cattle. In this study, 38 mother-offspring pairs and one mother-offspring-orphan trio were observed for 10 hours daily during three consecutive days spaced every four months over a period of one year. After identification, the animals were observed under field conditions where calf posture and the number of suckling episodes (NS), mean suckling duration (MSD), total suckling duration per day (TSD) as well as natural weaning of these animals were recorded. The model assessed the effects of calf sex and age as well as feeding time. Suckling episodes (70.6%) had a duration of one to five minutes and the calf that suckled in the inverted parallel position had greater chances of success during suckling (99.5%); the younger animals had a shorter mean suckling duration (4.0±0.6 minutes) than the older ones (7.5±1.2 minutes) but they showed a higher number of suckling episodes (6.29±1.00 vs. 1.33±0.04 feeds in 10 hours for young and older calves). Only the factor age in the first three months was significant for NS, MSD, and TSD; males and females had similar suckling episode length and distribution. While these animals show some traits similar to other cattle breeds such as feeding their calves early in the morning and late in the afternoon, the dams spend large periods of the day away from their calves and suckling is more frequent but for shorter periods of time compared with other breeds. Other unique features such as allo-suckling and formation of day-long crèches are observed in this breed.

Group housing with electronically controlled crates for lactating sows. Effect on farrowing, suckling and activity behavior of sows and piglets

The aim of the present study was the analysis of behavioral parameters of sows and piglets in two different farrowing systems. Data of 132 crossbred-sows were collected. Conventional single housing with farrowing crates (SH) was compared to a group housing system (GH) with six single pens, electronically controlled gates (ear tag) and a shared running area. GH-sows were fixed in their crates from day 3 ante partum (a.p.) until day 1 post partum (p.p.). The piglets remained in the pens until lactation day 5 (flexible step) and were weaned on lactation day 26.The behavior of the sows and piglets was recorded by videotape. Under investigation were the parameters ‘farrowing duration between each piglet’, ‘the number and duration of sucklings’, ‘missing and foreign piglets during suckling (only GH)’, ‘the duration and frequency of the sows’ activities (lying, sitting, standing, walking)’ and ‘the number of GH-piglets in the running area (suckling, resting, walking)’. The farrowing duration was not different for the piglets in GH (11min) and SH (10min; p>0.05). Likewise, the suckling duration was equal with 17min/observation unit in GH and SH, respectively (p>0.05). The frequency of suckling did not vary significantly (GH: 3.9 vs. SH: 3.6/time period of three hours). However, the suckling behavior of the GH-piglets changed during nursing. Fewer than one GH-piglet was missing during milk flow, while this proportion rose during udder massages before and after milk flow (p<0.05). The number of foreign piglets was not influenced by the udder massages or milk flow phases (0.3–0.4 piglets/30s scan; p>0.05). Furthermore, suckling in the running area resulted in higher numbers of missing and foreign piglets (p<0.05). With reference to the activity behavior, the farrowing system had no effect on the sows’ periods of lying, sitting and standing (p>0.05). The sows’ time in the GH-pens decreased from lactation day 5 (20.6h/d) until it reached a nearly constant level on lactation day 11 (11.6h/d; p<0.05). GH-piglets used the running area primarily for walking and playing while they preferred the heated piglet nests for resting. In conclusion, suckling frequency and duration were similar in both farrowing systems whereas suckling in GH resulted in enhanced disturbances during udder massages. GH-sows remained in the crates with their piglets during the first five days p.p. and the running area was used for defecating.

Effects of chronic stress during pregnancy on maternal performance in the guinea pig (Cavia aperea f. porcellus)

Stress experienced during pregnancy can have persistent impact on the female's physiology and behaviour not only during but even beyond pregnancy. The present study aimed to evaluate such long-term effects of stress in terms of repeated strobe light exposure during early to mid gestation on behavioural aspects of mothering activities and lactational effort in lactating guinea pigs. We found that maternal behaviour was negatively affected by stress experience during pregnancy with treatment females developing a higher level of offspring-directed aggression than controls. In addition, our measure of lactational performances showed tendencies of lowered milk supply and longer pup suckling durations in stressed females. We suggest that this may represent a strategy to advance infant weaning following demanding conditions caused by chronic stress experience during pregnancy.

Description of nestbox visits and suckling events in a group housing system for rabbit does as compared to individual cages

Research was conducted to study nursing associated events of lactating rabbit does. Nest box visits and suckling events were investigated using 6 group pens (8 does/pen) and 12 enriched individual cages. Each group pen and individual cage was observed by video for one day per week until weaning at 35 d of lactation, with exception of the third week of lactation. In the first 2 wk of lactation, videotapes were analysed for the frequency and duration of nest box visits per day. The fourth and fifth week of lactation, suckling events on the floor of the group pens and nest box visits in the individual cages were analysed for one day per week. The first 2 wk of lactation, does visits to the nest boxes were less frequent (respectively 1.9±0.2 vs. 2.6±0.3, P&lt;0.1) and shorter (respectively 113±9 s vs. 158±15 s, P&lt; 0.05) in the group pens than in the individual cages. In the group pens, 32% of the does had intervals of &gt;24 h between nest box visits. In the cages, all does visited the nest boxes at least once a day. In the last 2 wk of lactation, in the group pens suckling duration (mean±standard deviation) was 89±49 and 92.2±37 s in respectively week 4 and 5. In 79% of the suckling events a mix of the does’ own and other kits were suckled. No difference was found in suckling duration between litters consisting of own and/or other kits. Thirty-two per cent of the does in week 4 and 62% of the does in week 5 did not suckle kits on the floor of the pen, whereas all the does in the cages still visited the nest boxes at least once every 24 h. Based on this study, it can be concluded that in group housing less frequent and shorter nest box visits as well as suckling events were found as compared to individual housing.

Patterns of daily duration and frequency of breastfeeding among exclusively breastfed infants in Shiraz, Iran, a 6-month follow-up study using Bayesian generalized linear mixed models.

Introduction:Despite numerous studies on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding during the first half year of life, little information is available on actual breastfeeding practices in terms of daily duration and frequency of suckling. This study proposes to determine daily breastfeeding patterns among exclusively breastfed infants from birth to six months.Subject and Methods:An observational prospective follow-up study of daily feeding practices among exclusively breastfed infants was conducted in 2007/2008. Mothers were recruited and interviewed during their first month postpartum health center visit. A total of 287 mothers were recruited into the study. Primary outcome measures were suckling duration and frequency of breastfeeding during daytime and nighttime. Mothers were asked at each healthcare visit to report the daily duration in minutes and the daily number of breastfeeding sessions. Mixed models were used to determine breastfeeding patterns and predictors.Results:Of 287 mothers selected for this study, 174 (61%) exclusively breastfeeding until six months after delivery. Mixed modeling showed that as the infant's age increased duration of one suckling, cumulative duration and frequency of breastfeeding during daytime, nighttime and a twenty four hour period all gradually decreased. Infants gender and receiving professional advice about breastfeeding were also significant factors in breastfeeding patterns (p<0.05).Conclusions:The one suckling duration and frequency of feeds in this study population were considerably higher than values reported in other populations. The variation of feeding patterns between exclusively breastfed infants was very wide. The distributions of one suckling duration, frequency of breastfeeding and cumulative duration of feeds were right-skewed. The current professional advices about breastfeeding are not appropriate because they do not consider unique condition within specific populations.

The effects of age of lamb and parity of dam and sex and birth type of lamb on suckling behaviours of Karayaka lambs

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of age of lamb, parity of dam, sex, and birth type of lamb on suckling behaviours and to find out at which week the lambs tend to be weaned considering suckling behaviours. This study was conducted on Karayaka sheep, an indigenous sheep breed, raised in Turkey. In this study, 24 sheep including 1st parity sheep (n=8), 2nd parity sheep (n=9) and 3rd parity sheep (n=7) and 32 lambs of these sheep (n=16 single, n=16 twin; n=14 male, n=18 female; lambs born from primiparous ewes n=10, lambs born from secondiparous ewes n=13, lambs born from trimiparous ewes n=9) were used. Behaviours such as suckling duration per bout, suckling duration per hour, frequency of sucklings and frequency of rejections were observed for 9 weeks (two days per week and between the hours 15:00 and 18:00). Age of lamb and birth type had a significant effect on suckling duration per bout, suckling duration per hour, frequency of sucklings and frequency of rejections (P<0.001). Summed duration per hour, frequency of sucklings (P<0.01) and frequency of rejections (P<0.001) of lambs born from primiparous ewes were higher than the values of lambs born from multiparous ewes. The effect of sex on suckling duration per bout was significant (P<0.05) while the other suckling behaviours were not significant (P>0.05). Summed duration per hour and frequency of rejections of twin lambs were higher than in single ones (P<0.001). This study shows that Karayaka lambs tend to be at weanable age nearly the 7th week after birth, considering the data about suckling behaviours.