Abstract

In dairy cows, the cessation of milk removal for extended periods, such as drying-off, initiates the process of mammary gland involution. This results in a decline of mammary secretion and changes in secretion composition. Morphological changes in the mammary gland occur within the first week of non-milking, with extensive re-modelling by the third or fourth week. However, many alveolar structures are retained (Hurley 1989). Thus, involution may be reversible following extended non-milking periods (Noble & Hurley 1999). Milk yield is fully restored ... continued

K, Singh, K Swanson, HV Henderson, and K Stelwagen

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 72, Christchurch, 70-72, 2012