The present study investigates the gap between the daily milk production potential and the effective milk yields in six herds. These two parameters and their changes were observed in the Gharb irrigation scheme (northwest of Morocco), during a five months study period. They were analyzed in relation to the changes in the rations of the cows and in their live weights. Results reveal that under c...

In surrogate pregnancies genetic parents have little opportunity for early bonding with their infants either prenatally (in utero) or during the immediate postnatal period. Procedures commonly used to induce lactation include both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic methods often in combination. Studies reporting induced lactation are sparse due to the rarity of augmented lactation. Here we repo...

Mammary gland capacity is influenced by the number of secretory cells in the gland, the activity of those cells and the size and arrangement of the alveoli that they form. Although reproductive experience has been shown to affect the total number of secretory cells in the gland, its potential effect on the structural development of lobulo-alveolar tissues has not been directly investigated. To ...

The objective of this study was to investigate the potential causes of high body temperature (Tb) during lactation in mice as a putative limit on energy intake. In particular we explored whether or not offspring contributed to heat retention in mothers while suckling. Tb and physical activity were monitored in 26 female MF1 mice using intraperitoneally implanted transmitters. In addition, mater...

Why has male lactation never evolved? This question is discussed with attention to (a) the physiological and ontogenetic modifications that such an evolutionary development would require, and (b) the reproductive strategies of monogamous mammals and the costs and benefits of extant forms of parental investment. Functional male lactation would require changes in sexually differentiated ontogenet...

It is not acceptable to compromise animal welfare in any system of farming. Feeding should be aimed at meeting the nutritional requirements at the various stages of production. This paper deals with the detrimental effects that organic, extensive or low input farming systems may have on the energy status in early lactation of the high potential dairy cow. Bovine ketosis is the most important di...

The mammary gland of the lactating mouse synthesizes and secretes milk lipid equivalent to its entire body weight in a single 20-day lactation cycle, making it one of the most active lipid synthetic organs known. We test the hypothesis that multiple control points and potential regulatory mechanisms regulate milk lipid synthesis at the level of gene expression. The mammary transcriptome of 130 ...

The objective of this study was to estimate the relation of body condition score (BCS) near calving to the body condition change in early lactation, the reproductive performance, milk yield and culling rate in the first lactation Estonian Holstein dairy cows. Cows were divided into three groups based on their BCS at calving; thin, BCS ≤3.0 (n=29); moderate, BCS 3.25–3.5 (n= 48); and fat, BCS ≥3...

BACKGROUND Breastfeeding has numerous maternal and infant benefits. Progesterone contraception after birth is frequently recommended, but because a decrease in progesterone is required to initiate lactation, early postpartum progesterone contraception use could inhibit lactation. The purpose of this article is to critically evaluate the scientific basis for conflicting clinical recommendations ...