Amount Of Milk Research Articles

Attitudes and Knowledges of Dairy Farmers toward Forage Canning Tecnology

Nowadays, the problem faced by dairy farmers is that the supply of forage is unstable, while dairy cows required forage intake of 10% of their body weight. In addition, the use of concentrate that was not appropriate affected the quality and quantity of cow's milk. The aims of this research are 1; Analyzing the condition of respondents' characteristics toward the forage canning technology as an alternative feed, 2; Analyzing the attitudes and knowledge of dairy farmers towards forage canning technology as an alternative feed, 3; Formulating a strategy for the development of forage canning technology. The method that used was descriptive analysis which obtained from 62 respondents that taken purposively in 5 Sub-districts, which were Karangploso Sub-district, Ngajum Sub-district, Dau Sub-district, Pujon Sub-district, and Ngantang Sub-district. The research results of knowledge showed that 67.31% of respondents belonged to the category of moderate knowledge, while attitudes showed that 68.43% was included in the category of moderate. Thus, it was concluded that the application of forage canning technology was acceptable and properly implemented in the 5 Sub-districts

Growth Assessment in Camel (Camelus dromedarius): A Meta-Analysis Study

In domestic animals, the body weight is the ultimate result of growth which forms the basis of meat production. Sex, nutrition, breed and health are the main factors which influence the growth rate in animals. Heredity which is the major factor affecting the prenatal growth either directly through the genotype of the fetus or indirectly through the genotype of the dam. The prenatal growth patterns and development of the camel fetus is just like the fetus of cattle, however, the meat output from the breeding shecamels is limited often due to longer gestation periods, longer milk feeding periods, lower calving rates under traditional management system. A lot of variation regarding camelid daily growth rate exists that varies widely between breeds, within breeds and regions. There is a significant effect of pre-weaning and post-weaning growth rates on the final body weights in camelids. Management system, the available milk quantity, husbandry practices and vegetative conditions are the main factors that affect the pre and post weaning growth rates of camel calves. However, it is partially dependent on the availability of browsing species throughout the whole year. In this specific study, an effort has been drawn to look into the literature data for camel growth assessment.

ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ МЕТОДОМ ИНФРАКРАСНОЙ ТЕРМОГРАФИИ ЗАБОЛЕВАНИЙ ВЫМЕНИ КОРОВ МАСТИТОМ И ИХ ВЛИЯНИЯ НА ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ

Mastitis is one of the most common diseases of dairy cows, affecting the udder health, the quantity and quality of milk produced. Early detection of the disease can reduce the cost of treatment, maintain the health and milk production of animals. To diagnose subclinical and clinical forms of mastitis and study their effect on productivity, the authors monitored the udder surface temperature in healthy and sick animals. The research involved about 200 milking purebred cows of the Yaroslavl breed, among which pairs-analogues were selected in accordance with the requirements of OST 70.20.2-80 “Milking installations for cows. Program and test methods”. One animal from the pair was in the experimental group, and the other was in the control group. The productivity of animals in pairs did not differ by more than + 5% (in a healthy state). Animals in the studied groups were in the third or fourth month of lactation. Animal productivity was assessed once a month by conducting control milkings. Thermal imaging studies were carried out on a working dairy farm using a Guide C400M thermal imager operating in the infrared range with an image resolution of 384 × 288. As a result of the studies, thermograms of the udder surface temperature in diseased animals and their healthy counterparts were analyzed and the following udder temperature ranges were identified: 32…35°C – in healthy animals with a negative test for mastitis; 36…37°C – in animals with a subclinical form of mastitis; 38…39°C – in animals with a clinical form of mastitis. For sick animals, the extremely high relationship between the critical increase in udder surface temperature and milk yields was confirmed by the linear Pearson correlation coefficient. The conclusion was made that the use of infrared thermography to determine the temperature thresholds of the udder is a fast and non-invasive way to obtain reliable information about an animal’s health and productivity.

Mastitis in dairy cow

Modern dairy cows are the fruit of centuries of breeding and breeding to increase the quantity and quality of milk. Recently, farmers have turned their attention to an undesirable consequence of selection to improve milk production – the susceptibility of the mammary gland to infections. Mamitis or Mastitis is a major disease with the greatest impact on the economy of dairy farms around the world, associated with decreased milk production, impaired quality, increased costs of veterinary treatments, distortion of noncompliant milk, decreased animal longevity, increasing the rate of reform, affecting animal welfare, overworking employees and maintaining the infectious pressure on the herd.

Production, Consumption and Marketing Status of Dairy Development in India: An Inter-state Analysis

Dairy sector plays a vital role in the case of a nation’s food supply, engagement of rural workforce etc. Milk production, consumption and per capita availability in India have been increasing rapidly. Some of the challenges in dairy sector are pricing, low milk productivity due to intrinsic (low genetic potential) and extrinsic (poor nutrition/feed management, ineffective veterinary and inefficient execution of breed improvement programmes), shortage of feed/fodder and organized private sector. Access to technological innovations, improvement in infrastructural etc have been quite significant to give a strong boost to dairy development. Government has adopted several schemes for improving milk quality and quantity. All the dairy related variables are mostly pair-wise significantly positively correlated. With the help of ‘Dendrogram’, Indian states have been clustered into three clusters namely ‘High’, ‘Moderate’ and ‘Low’. Some policy recommendations for strengthening dairy sector in India have been made.

Incorporation of oat milk with probiotic Lacticaseibacillus casei AP improves the quality of kefir produced from goat milk

In this study, we evaluated the quality of kefir with combined additions of oat milk (8, 12, and 16% w/v) and Lacticaseibacillus casei AP (2 and 4% v/v), and observed the products’ physicochemical characteristics (nutrient content, pH and acidity, viscosity and syneresis, ethanol concentration, and fatty acid profiles), microbiological characteristics (total lactic acid bacteria, total plate count, total probiotic, and total yeast), and sensory characteristics. The result showed that an increasing level of oat milk addition decreased water content and improved viscosity. A combination of 16% oat milk and 4% (v/v) L. casei AP increased the viscosity and water content, and resulted in the highest favorability and acceptability of kefir products. However, the increased concentration of L. casei AP inoculum and oat milk quantity did not affect microbiological qualities. It can be concluded that incorporating 16% oat milk and 4% L. casei AP improves the physical quality and sensory characteristics of kefir products.

Effectiveness of Ayurved Siriraj Prasa-Nam-Nom Recipe on Breast Milk Volume in Early Postpartum Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo- Controlled Trial

Objective: To explore the effectiveness of Ayurved Siriraj Prasa-Nam-Nom (ASPNN) recipe on breast milk production in early postpartum women.
 Methods: Fifty-four normal vaginal term delivery mothers who had inadequate milk volume were enrolled into this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. All participants received ASPNN or placebo 1,500 mg three times/day for 3 days in the hospital and 7 days at home. Primary outcomes, including breast milk volume, %creamatocrit, and level of prolactin, were evaluated on day 1 and day 3. Satisfaction scores, adverse effects, and types of breastfeeding were also determined.
 Results: On day 3, milk volume was increased in both groups. The median volume of ASPNN group was 19 ml, while that of the placebo group was 30 ml. The median %creamatocrit of ASPNN and placebo group were 7.17% and 6.98%, respectively. Mean serum prolactin levels of ASPNN and placebo group were 321.76 + 114.23 ng/ml and 323.78 + 116.68 ng/ml, respectively. Although the effects were not difference from the placebo, the reduction of prolactin in ASPNN was lower. Minor adverse effects included skin rash and mild diarrhea. Exclusive breastfeeding rate on day 11 in ASPNN and placebo group were 92.6 % and 88.5%, respectively.
 Conclusion: Short term ASPNN supplementation produce no direct effect on breast milk volume, creamatocrit, and serum prolactin. It was safe and might help maintaining serum prolactin. A future trial with more participants and longer period should be conducted to confirm the effect of ASPNN on breast milk quantity and quality.

Secretory immunoglobulin A in preterm infants: determination of normal values in breast milk and stool.

IgA and its secretory form sIgA impact protection from infection and necrotising enterocolitis but little is known about quantities in preterm mums own milk (MOM) or infant stool, onset of endogenous production in the preterm gut, and what affects these. We measured by ELISA in MOM and stool from healthy preterm infants total IgA and sIgA longitudinally and additionally in MOM fresh, refrigerated, frozen, and after traversing feeding systems. In 42 MOM (median gestation 26 weeks), we showed total IgA levels and sIgA were highest in colostrum, fell over 3 weeks, and were not impacted by gestation. Median IgA values matched previous term studies (700 mcg/ml). In MOM recipients stool IgA was detected in the first week, at around 30% of MOM quantities. Formula fed infants did not have detectable stool IgA until the third week. Levels of IgA and sIgA were approximately halved by handling processes. MOM in the 3 weeks after preterm delivery contains the highest concentrations of IgA and sIgA. Endogenous production after preterm birth occurs from the 3 week meaning preterm infants are dependent on MOM for IgA which should be optimised. Routine NICU practices halve the amount available to the infant. (Secretory) Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is present in colostrum of maternal milk from infants as preterm as 23-24 weeks gestational age, falling over the first 3 weeks to steady levels similar to term. Gestation at birth does not impact (secretory) IgA levels in breast milk. IgA is present in very preterm infant stools from maternal milk fed infants from the first week of life, but not in formula milk fed preterm infants until week three, suggesting endogenous production from this point. Refrigeration, freezing, and feeding via plastic tubing approximately halved the amount of IgA available.

​​Effect of Farm Categories on Quality and Quantity of Milk Produced by Different Crosses of Holstein-Friesian Cows

Background: Farmers are not satisfied by the production performance of different crossbred Holstein-Friesian (HF) cows in Chattogram, Bangladesh. Therefore, the study was taken to find out the effect of farm categories on milk yield and milk constituents of different HF crossbred at Chattogram, Bangladesh. Methods: This study was conducted from July 2014 to June 2015 in Chattogram Metropolitan Area (CMA), Potia, Mirsharai and Fatikchari upazilla (sub-district) of Chittagong, Bangladesh. For this study fourteen (14) commercial dairy farms in three different categories as A (50 greater than milking cows), B (31 greater than 50 milking cows) ,C (11 greater than 30 milking cows) with 98 cows for each of the 3 crosses named as 50%HF×50% Local (L), 75%HF×25%L and 50%HF×50% Sahiwal (SH) at their third parity were selected. Farms under the same category were selected based on similarities in feeding and other management practices. Quality of raw milk was obtained by analyzing the milk samples collected from an individual animal of the selected farm at an interval of seven days by using a milk scanner (Lactostar, Model no. 3510, Funke Gerber, Germany) in the Laboratory of Dairy Science of Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU). Result: A significant difference (P less than 0.05) in milk yield and constituents except lactose and minerals was observed among the same and different crossbreds of HF under different farm categories. The highest daily average milk yield and quality were observed in different crosses of farms belong category A, but their performances decreased gradually with poor management systems in farms belong to categories B and C. So, farm category has a significant effect on milk quality and quantity in different crosses of Holstein. This study would help the commercial dairy farmers in choosing suitable crosses of Holstein-Friesian for farms belong to different categories.

Protocol for RCT: Effectiveness of Traditional Breast Stimulations as Adjuvant Techniques to Breast Milk Expression on Lactational and Maternal Outcomes

Background: Mothers of infants who are dependent on expressed breast milk often find difficulty to express adequate quantity of breast milk to ensure exclusive breast feeding to their babies and it has become a major stress factor among these mothers. Many cost-effective adjuvant techniques are proved to be very useful in improving the quantity and quality of expressed breast milk.
 Objective: To determine the effect of two traditional breast stimulation techniques such as warm compress and breast massage as adjuvant to breast milk expression on maternal and lactational outcomes.
 Methodology: A hospital-based cross over trial will be considered to compare the effects of two interventions such as breast massage and warm compress, adjuvant to breast milk expression method (breast pump) on lactational outcomes (Quantity and quality of expressed breast milk) and maternal outcomes (Nipple pain, anxiety and experience of breast milk expression). The setting of the study will be selected tertiary level hospital of New Delhi. Approval from Institutional the Ethical approval is obtained from Institutional Ethical Committee, DMIMS (DMIMS (DU)/IEC/2017-18/6979) and also from the institutional ethical committee of armed forces medical services hospital of New Delhi where the study will be conducted. The data collected will be entered to an electronic data sheet and analysis will be done using SPSS.
 Expected Results: There will be a positive impact of interventions on locational outcomes such as quantity of expressed breast milk and quality of expressed breast milk.
 There will be a positive impact of interventions on maternal outcomes such as nipple pain. Anxiety and breast milk expression experience.
 This nurse led interventions will be made as a part of hospital policy to provide routine care to the mothers who are expressing breast milk in hospital settings.
 Conclusion: Conclusion will be drawn after the analysis of data collected from the predetermined sample size. The findings of the study will be published in an open access peer reviewed journal.

Cardio-Respiratory Events and Food Autonomy Responses to Early Uni-Modal Orofacial Stimulation in Very Premature Babies: A Randomized, Controlled Study.

Uni-modal orofacial stimulation (OFS) for preventing very preterm infants’ oral disorders is highly controversial. Our study sought to demonstrate that OFS reduced cardio-respiratory events and improved food autonomy in a population of very preterm infants. Our study was randomized, controlled, prospective, and unicentric. The preterm included were born between 26–29 weeks gestational age (GA) with a corrected postnatal age <33 weeks GA. They were randomized into two groups: the experimental group underwent OFS, according to a protocol established, over 10 consecutive days, and the control group underwent no OFS. The primary outcome was the number of cardiorespiratory events: apnea–bradycardia (with or without desaturations) or number of isolated desaturations, which were evaluated at four separate times. Measurements occurred during the first, fourth and eighth independent feedings. Seventeen patients were included in the experimental group and 18 in the control group. The number of cardiorespiratory events for all independent feeding times was significantly reduced in the OFS group (p = 0.003) with univariate analysis, but not with multivariable analysis. The quantity of milk ingested during the first autonomous feeding was higher in the experimental group. The acquisition of food autonomy and the duration of hospitalization were similar in the two groups. While our study does not affirm that an early unimodal OFS improves premature infants’ cardiorespiratory evolution and/or the acquisition of food autonomy, it does indicate an improved food efficiency during their first autonomous feedings.

Acupuncture to Boost Breast Milk in Postpartum Hypogalactia: Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Breast milk is appropriate and useful but the exclusive breastfeeding rate in Thailand was quite low at only 23.1%. Hypogalactia is one of the important barriers of breastfeeding. Studies in Asia and the west have shown that acupuncture could boost breast milk. However, some articles had controversial result. There has been no study to assess efficiency of acupuncture in early postpartum hypogalactia. Objective: To compare the efficacy of acupuncture and conventional treatment for stimulating breast milk in early postpartum hypogalactia at 48 hours. Materials and Methods: A randomized, prospective, clinical trial was used for the present study. Sixty postpartum hypogalactic women of term gestation in postpartum ward in Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital between March 1, 2020 and February 28, 2021 were enrolled. They were randomized into acupuncture and control groups. In the study group, mothers received once a day acupuncture at 13 acupoints without electrode for three consecutive days by qualified Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner other than conventional treatment. Breast milk quantity were measured at day 1, day 7, and day 14 after the intervention. Results: Mean age of all participants was 29.72±5.96 year, mostly primigravida, delivered by vaginal route. Mean milk volume in the treatment group were significantly higher than the control group (p&lt;0.05) with day 1 at 19.00±22.25 versus 5.97±6.08 mL, day 7 at 78.10±60.38 versus 40.17±28.82 mL, and day 14 at 128.33±64.86 versus 75.00±57.96 mL. The amount of breast milk in the treatment group were 3-fold, 2-fold, and 1.7-fold times more than the control group at day 1, day 7, and day 14, in respective order (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Accurate acupuncture intervention could boost breast milk production in early postpartum hypogalactia at 48 hours. Keywords: Postpartum hypogalactia; Acupuncture; Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Plant growth promoters mediated quality and yield attributes of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) ecotypes under salinity stress

Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn (Astraceae) is a well-reputed medicinal plant mostly utilized for silymarin (Sily) content and oil production, however, the information about Sily contents in achene part is still fragmented under different climatic conditions. In this study four milk thistle ecotypes from Faisalabad (FSD), Gujranwala (GUJ), Quetta (QTA), and Kallar kahar (KK) having an altered achene color were analyzed under salt stress. Application of plant growth promoters (PGPs) is one of the solution for ameliorating the effect of salinity and increasing the quantity and quality traits of milk thistle, so ascorbic acid (AsA), thiourea (TU), and moringa leaf extract (MLE) were soil supplied after developing salinity stress (120 mM with irrigation) at germination stage. Predetermined levels were selected for PGPs such as AsA (500 µM), MLE (3%), and TU (250 µM). Results revealed that all yield related attributes were significantly decreased, while secondary metabolites, pericarp epidermis, pericarp parenchyma, and pericarp seed integument increased under salinity stress. Data suggested that PGPs treatment was helpful to alleviate the deleterious effects of salinity stress and enhance the milk thistle quality and quantity parameters. The ecotypic variations with altered achene color patterns represent an advantage for QTA ecotypes for higher Sily extraction under salt stressed conditions.

Assessment and Factors Influencing Protein Content of Human Breast Milk at Various Stages of Lactation in Yobe State Nigeria

Aims: Aim: Protein in breast milk has diverse functions which gives short and long term benefits. This means human milk must adequately supply the nutritional needs of infants especially during the period of exclusive breast feeding as mandated for lactating mothers. The study assessed quantity of proteins in lactating stages of mother’s breast milk and the factors that influence its availability in Yobe State, Nigeria.&#x0D; Study Design: Quantitative experimental and descriptive survey methods were adopted for the study. Quantitative experimental design was used for the analysis of breast milk samples collected while descriptive survey method was used to derive primary and secondary data to determine factors influencing protein in breast milk.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: The collection of the samples was done in three stages of lactation from October to December (2019) in Yobe State, Nigeria.&#x0D; Methodology: Primiparous women residing in Nguru (n= 49/town) were recruited base on agreement with the hospitals prior to their delivery. Breast milk samples were collected at three stages of lactation; colostrums (1-2 days), transition (12 day) and mature (30 day) for protein analysis. Descriptive survey through structured questionnaire was adopted to derive primary data which was used to determine nutrition during pregnancy and factors influencing breast milk composition.&#x0D; Results: The mean proteins are 3.88%, 1.79% and 1.23% for colostrum, transition and mature milk respectively. It showed that breast milk is a dynamic fluid with changes in its protein content over the course of lactation and varies within and between nutrition and between mothers. Those with low, normal and high BMI accounted for 6.1%, 81.6% and 12.2% respectively. Based on WHO standard, 82% of the women has normal BMI during pregnancy which translate good nutrition.&#x0D; Conclusion: The nutrition of the pregnant women influenced breast milk proteins. Age, ethnicity, religion and parity have no significant effect on protein quantity in breast milk. Increased education stratification and income levels contribute positively to proteins in lactation stages.

Relationship of Genetic Polymorphism For CYP19 Gen of Exon 3 With Quantity and Milk Composition in Domestic Female Goats

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of the genetic polymorphism of the third exon for CYP19 gene on the quantity and composition of milk in local female goats. Blood samples were collected from female goats in the fields of some breeder in Babil Governorate/Al-Qasim City. Milk composition were examined in the Public Health Laboratory at Al-Qasim Green University/College of Veterinary Medicine, the genetic bundle of the third axon of the CYP19 gene was isolated, which was 140 bp in size, and its genotyping was determined according to the different nucleotide sequences and their association with the quantity and milk composition in the samples which tested in the Bayolat Laboratory in Al-Diwaniyah Governorate. The proportions of the distribution of the genotypes of the CYP19 gene in a sample of local female goats TT, GG and TG were 33.34%, 26.66 and 40%, respectively. The results showed prevalence of the TG genotype for CYP19 gene in the Iraqi local goats on the pure genotypes TT and GG, which was a highly significant superior (P<0.01) in the percentages of fat, protein, lactose and CFPP, as well as the significant superiority of the mixed genotype significantly on the pure genotype in the percentages of solid non-fat and density. It could be concluded from the current study that the selection of females with TG genotype as source for future generations to obtain a generation selected for the desired traits.

Analysis of gene expression from human breastmilk cells: A comparison between low and high producers, and the influence of anxiety and depression on milk production, gene expression and bacterial production

BackgroundBreastmilk is considered the gold standard of infant nutrition. Many mothers have difficulty with breastfeeding and over 50% of women stop due to perceived low production. Aims and methodsOur study compared gene expression in 8 samples of low and high producers of milk. All subjects were administered GAD-7 and PHQ-9 questionnaires. Low-producers were all found to have more depression and anxiety compared to high-producers. ResultsWe did not find significant differences between gene expression between low and high milk producers. Only 5 of 8 samples contained a significant number of human cells. We did find differences in the amount of various bacterial populations. ConclusionOur results indicate that gene expression in breastmilk is complicated by collection methods. We recommend that even though some women produced less than 600 ml of milk over a 24-hour period of time, due to the nature of the bacteria found in milk they try to breastfeed as much as they can for the health benefits of their infants. the rich bacterial diversity in all patients including the low producers strongly suggests that even women producing lesser quantities of milk confer their children numerous benefits by breastfeeding them.

Technologies used at advanced dairy farms for optimizing the performance of dairy animals: A review

Superior germplasm, better nutrition strategies, health care facilities and improved dairy husbandry practices have boosted milk yield and its quality with a rapid rate. Per cow productivity has risen up sharply with considerable increase in the population of dairy animals. Recent era has witnessed the extension of large dairy farms around the world. Demand for high quality and increased quantity of milk is of the prime concern for all the dairy farms. With an increase in the size of animals in a farm, the labour requirement also rises up. Availability of skilled labour at low wage rate is becoming difficult. In last couple of decades, the cost of microprocessors has been reduced to an affordable level. The economic availability of engineered processors, artificial intelligence, improved data statistics combined with expert suggestions has created a revolution in livestock farming. Advanced engineered devices have become alternative to reduce high labour cost. This review focuses on latest knowledge and emerging developments in animal’s welfare focused biomarker activities and activity-based welfare assessment like oestrus, lameness and others. Use of enhanced sensors and data technologies with expert based solutions is anticipated to bring out a substantial improvement in existing dairy farming practices.

Determination of Dabigatran Concentration in Human Plasma and Breast Milk.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is an important cause of death following childbirth. Dabigatran etexilate can be a useful prophylaxis in susceptible women during the postpartum period. However, it is not clear whether dabigatran is excreted into breast milk in amounts which can be harmful to the suckling baby. We have developed an accurate, sensitive, and specific assay for the quantitation of dabigatran in both human plasma and breast milk. This is particularly useful for the determination of the extent by which dabigatran is secreted into breast milk in relation to its systemic availability. Dabigatran was enriched from both matrices using solid-phase extraction prior to separation on a C8-RPLC column and detection using SRM on a QqTrap mass spectrometer. The assay was validated for specificity, sensitivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, and stability of the analyte in human plasma and breast milk. The lower limit of detection for dabigatran was 20 pg/ml in plasma and 75 pg/ml in breast milk. This assay will aid future studies for the measurement of dabigatran concentrations in human breast milk to help determine if dabigatran etexilate can safely be administered to breast-feeding women.

The impact of genetic merit on ewe performance and efficiency parameters.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of ewe genetic merit on ewe performance and efficiency parameters. The study consisted of three genetic merit groups (New Zealand [NZ], High Irish, and Low Irish) and ran from 2016 to 2019, inclusive. Each genetic merit group contained 30 purebred Suffolk and 30 purebred Texel ewes, which were selected based on their maternal genetic indexes in their country of origin, namely Ireland (€uro-star Replacement index) or New Zealand (New Zealand Maternal worth). Ewe body condition score (BCS), ewe body weight (BW), milk yield, milk composition, dry matter intake (DMI), and efficiency parameters were all analyzed using linear mixed models. Ewe BW was similar across all genetic merit groups at each time point (P > 0.05). In comparison to both High and Low Irish ewes, NZ ewes had a higher BCS at mating, mid-pregnancy, lambing, week 10 post-lambing (PL, P < 0.05). Ewe BW change was similar across genetic merit groups, except between mating and mid-pregnancy where ewe BW loss was greater for NZ ewes than Irish ewes (P < 0.05) and between weeks 6 PL and 10 PL, where NZ ewes gained BW and High and Low Irish ewes lost BW (P < 0.01). Ewe milk yield, milk fat, total solids, and gross energy content were superior for milk produced by NZ ewes at week 6 PL in comparison to milk produced by High Irish and Low Irish ewes (P < 0.01). NZ ewes produced a greater quantity of milk solids/kg of BW at week 6 PL compared with High Irish ewes (P < 0.01), whereas Low Irish ewes did not differ from either NZ or High Irish (P > 0.05). Low Irish ewes had a greater daily DMI than High Irish ewes in late lactation (week 10 PL, P < 0.05) and had a greater DMI/kg of ewe BW compared with the High Irish ewes at the same time point (P < 0.05). NZ ewes weaned a litter BW equivalent to 60.4% of their mating BW, which was more than the Low Irish ewes who weaned 57.1% of the ewe’s BW at mating (P < 0.01), whereas the High Irish ewes did not differ from either the NZ or Low Irish ewes at 59.3% of the ewe’s BW at mating (P > 0.05). This study presents a range of parameters across ewes of high and low genetic merit, demonstrating the ability to achieve gains through selection of animals of high genetic merit. Sheep producers should consider genetic indexes as a tool to assist in the decision-making process of selecting replacement ewes and/or breeding rams, once satisfied the animal is correct, and meeting the breeding objectives of the system.

EFFECT OF BREAST MILK ADMINISTERED ORALLY AS MINIMAL ENTERAL NUTRITION PRIOR TO TUBE FEEDING (OMEN) IN PRETERM INFANTS – SINGLE CENTER RANDOMIZED CONTROL TRIAL

BACKGROUND: Safety and clinical benets of early Minimum Enteral Nutrition (MEN) have been demonstrated by several trials. MEN is administered as tube feed bypassing the oral phase of digestion. Oropharyngeal administration of colostrum has shown positive trend to achieve feed tolerance. Aims: To study the effect of early initiation and subsequent continuation of minimal oral feeding prior to tube feeds on duration to achieve of full enteral feeds. METHODOLOGY: DESIGN: Open label RCT. Setting: Tertiary level care NICU. Participants: Hundred preterm very low birth weight neonates with no anomaly. Intervention: Infants received 3mL/kg/d of breastmilk or nothing via oral route q2h, beginning within 24-48h of birth which was continued until oral feedings initiated. In both groups tube feeds were introduced (10 ml/kg/d within 24-96 h) &amp; increased (10-20 ml/kg/d) until 180 ml/kg/d. Oral feeding was based on infants cues and a post menstrual age of ≥32 week or weight ≥1250 gram. Outcome: Primary: Time to reach full tube feeds (days). Secondary: NEC, sepsis, mortality, and duration of hospital stay. Duration: 1 year. RESULTS: Infants in OMEN group reached full enteral feeds earlier (14.2 ± 9.0 vs 18.8 ± 11.8, p 0.03) and were discharged at relatively younger post menstrual age compared to those in the TMEN group. There was no signicant difference in the incidence of NEC, sepsis and mortality. CONCLUSION: Administration of small quantity of human milk orally before each tube feed led to earlier achievement of full volume enteral feeds.