Response and Quantification of Certain Milk Attributes Following Artificial Induction of Lactation in Jersey Crossbred Cows of Himachal Pradesh

The present study evaluated the efficacy, lactation response, certain attributes of the milk induced and plasma alongwith reproductive changes periodically from day 5 to 75 using a 13 day protocol (day of first injection as day 1) of diethylstilbestrol, hydroxyprogesterone caproate and dexamethasone. A total of 22 non-lactating and infertile/sterile Jersey crossbred cows (G1=19, in goshalas; G2=3, with individual farmers) were used. In addition, normal postpartum cows (C=5) were also used to compare normal and induced milk. The overall efficacy of the protocol was 31.8% (21% in G1; 100% in G2). The milk yield at all recordings (five) was significantly higher in G2 than G1, the average being 1.0 and 3.6 L/d, respectively. Except for low milk Ca, especially in G1, comparable Na, K and Mg, declining estrogen and IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor-1) by day 30-35 and normal specific gravity and fat percentage at different evaluation intervals (two to six) in the induced milk suggested it to be safe for consumption after one month of induction. There was a significant correlation in Ca and Mg concentrations between blood versus milk as well as with increase in milk quantity at different days of lactation in the induced cows. Further, 2 of the 3 G2 chronic repeat breeder cows became pregnant. Higher BCS in G2 versus G1 (3.3 ± 0.1 versus 2.7 ± 0.14) was the probable reason for superior efficacy, better lactation response and setting up of pregnancy in G2.