Effect of pregnancy on milk yield and composition in buffaloes

Changes in milk yield and composition with pregnancy were investigated, using forty lactating buffaloes. They were grouped as high, moderate and low yielder on the basis of daily milk yield. The animals were synchronized for estrus and inseminated artificially. Milk yield was recorded daily and sampled fortnightly for analysis up to 23 week post conception. The data collected were analyzed through SPSS 11 software. Results showed a significant effect (P<0.05) of production groups, pregnancy, weeks post conception, ration and their interaction on post conception milk yield. Among the three production groups milk yield decline was maximum in high yielder (49.41 liters) followed by moderate (38.26 liters) and low yielder (28.08 liters), respectively. In pregnant animals the mean milk yield was lower (37.143 liters) then the non pregnant buffaloes (40.46 liters). Decline in milk yield became significant after week 8th post conception. Present study reported significant effect (P<0.05) of production groups, pregnancy, weeks post conception, ration and their interaction on post conception milk fats contents. Effect on other milk constituents was non significant. However, Pregnancy and weeks post conception had a significant (P<0.05) effect on SNF (%), milk protein (%) and lactose (%). The mean milk fats (%) for non pregnant buffaloes was higher (7.84 %) as compared to pregnant buffaloes (7.09 %). Feed supplementation of pregnant animals significantly (P<0.05) increased milk fats (7.87 vs 7.09) and lactose (5.26 vs 5.22) contents while the rest of contents did not respond. Milk fats contents increased significantly (P<0.05) and linearly with pregnancy weeks in all the three production groups. It was concluded that milk yield started decreasing with advancement in pregnancy and got pronounced (P<0.05) on week 8th. Milk fat contents in buffaloes decreased with advancement in weeks post conception as compared to their non pregnant counter part.