Milk Profile of Marecha Camel (Camelus dromedarius) Affected by Stage of Lactation and Pregnancy
Milk Profile of Marecha Camel (Camelus dromedarius) Affected by Stage of Lactation and Pregnancy
Asim Faraz1*, Nasir Ali Tauqir2, Hafiz Muhammad Ishaq1, Muhammad Arslan Akbar3, Muhammad Abubakar Sufyan1, Abdul Waheed1, Muhammad Usman Saleem4, Muhammad Shahid Nabeel5, Morteza Bitaraf Sani6, Amal AlKharusi7, Samira Jebahi8 and Ayman Balla Mustafa9
ABSTRACT
The current research was conducted to investigate the outcome of lactation stage and pregnancy on milk composition and production of Marecha dromedary camel at Camel Breeding and Research Station (CBRS), Rakh Mahni, district Bhakkar of Punjab province, Pakistan. Two comparable groups of she-camels were formed and each group had ten she-camels; one group was selected from early lactation stage (1-3 months) with no pregnancy (G1) and the second group (G2) with end lactation stage (11-14 months) with pregnancy (2-4). Milk yield was recorded in liters. By using Milky Lab Analyzer, the estimated values of milk composition were determined including protein, total solids, fat, density, lactose, and solids not fat (SNF). The difference between composition of milk, and yield was found to be significantly (P<0.05) high. Solids not fat (SNF), protein, and total solids in milk were found to be highly significant (P<0.05) in early lactating and non-pregnant females while milk density and lactose were studied to be highly significant in mid-end lactating and pregnant she-camels. A significant reduction in milk fat, protein, and SNF total solids was studied as the stage of lactation proceed. The results showed that physiological condition like the lactation stage and pregnancy has great significant effects on milk composition and yield.
Novelty Statement | Camel is a chief source of food security especially for the arid and semi-arid areas of Pakistan, where the pastorals mainly rely on this natural resource for their food and day to day activities. The major product of camel is milk in this area, while this study especially deals with two important factors i.e. lactation stage and pregnancy effects on milk profile of Marecha dromedary camel in desert adobes. This study will make the primary database of country for related future studies and will pave a way for further investigations in camel science.
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June 2023
Vol.38, Iss. 1, Pages 01-135
