EFFECT OF OXYTOCIN ADMINISTRATION ON MILK LET-DOWN TIME, MILKING RATE AND COMPOSITION OF MILK IN BUFFALOS

The effect of different doses (1 IU to 10 IU) of oxytocin was studied on milking behaviour and composition of milk of 20 Murrah buffaloes who were in mid-lactation of 132 days and yielding an average 9.1 kg milk/day. The yield of milk of oxytocin treated groups were similar to the yield of control group. Let-down with the help of oxytocin did not inflence the content of residual milk. It was concluded that synthetic oxytocin when administered brings about compositional changes in milk of buffaloes. Further, 1 IU of oxytocin injected intramuscularly was very effective in milk let-down without affecting the composition of milk.