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The Journal of nutrition1983; 113(10); 2096-2106; doi: 10.1093/jn/113.10.2096

Lactation in the horse: milk composition and intake by foals.

Abstract: Milk samples averaging 500 ml were collected weekly from 10 to 54 days postpartum from five lactating mares. Samples were obtained by hand milking after oxytocin administration and while the foal nursed. Dry matter, protein and gross energy were higher in samples obtained at 10 and 17 days postpartum than those obtained during the midlactation period of 24-54 days. Midlactation samples averaged 10.5% dry matter, 1.29% fat, 1.93% protein, 6.91% sugar and 50.6 kcal/100 g. Protein comprised 22% of milk energy. Milk intake was estimated in five foals from deuterium oxide (D2O) turnover to be 16, 15 and 18 kg/day at 11, 25 and 39 days postpartum. Milk intake differed significantly among foals and at the various postpartum ages, whether intake was expressed as a daily amount, as a percent of foal body weight, per kilogram0.75 or per gram of foal body weight gain. Milk production was equivalent to 3.1% of the mare's body weight at 11 days postpartum, 2.9% at 25 days and 3.4% at 39 days. On the basis of metabolic body size milk output by the mare was 149 g/kg0.75, 139 g/kg0.75 and 163 g/kg0.75 at 11, 25 and 39 days postpartum, respectively. Nutrient intakes by foals were calculated from milk composition and intake data. At 11, 25 and 39 days postpartum, respectively, dry matter intake equaled 3.1, 2.1 and 2.0% of foal body weight, and daily gross energy intake was 9380, 7590 and 8910 kcal. For each gram of body weight gain, foals ingested 0.37 g protein and 8.3 kcal at 11 days, 0.26 g protein and 6.7 kcal at 25 days, and 0.30 g protein and 7.8 kcal at 39 days of age.
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Publication Date: 1983-10-01 PubMed ID: 6619986DOI: 10.1093/jn/113.10.2096Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the composition of horse milk and the intake rate of foals. It finds that protein and energy are higher in early postpartum samples and that milk intake, which varies considerably among foals and postpartum stages, has a significant impact on their growth.

Study Methodology

  • The research was carried out with milk samples obtained from five lactating mares 10 to 54 days after they had given birth, averaging 500 ml per sample.
  • Milk was manually milked from the mares after administering oxytocin and while the foal was nursing.
  • The intake of milk by foals was estimated using deuterium oxide (D2O), a method of turnover at different postpartum ages: 11, 25, and 39 days.

Data Analysis

  • The researchers discovered that the composition of dry matter, protein, and gross energy in the milk samples was higher at 10 and 17 days postpartum compared to the mid-lactation period of 24-54 days.
  • The average mid-lactation samples had a composition of 10.5% dry matter, 1.29% fat, 1.93% protein, 6.91% sugar, and 50.6 kcal/100 g, with protein making up 22% of milk energy.

Milk Intake and Production

  • Milk intake varied considerably among foals and at different postpartum ages, with daily estimates at 16 kg, 15 kg, and 18 kg for days 11, 25, and 39 respectively.
  • Milk production was found to be equivalent to 3.1% of the mare’s body weight at 11 days postpartum, 2.9% at 25 days, and 3.4% at 39 days, which translates to 149 g/kg0.75, 139 g/kg0.75, and 163 g/kg0.75 respectively.

Nutrient Intake

  • The nutrient intake by foals was calculated using milk composition and intake data. At 11, 25, and 39 days postpartum, dry matter intake had values of 3.1%, 2.1%, and 2.0% of the foal’s body weight respectively, equating to daily gross energy intakes of 9380, 7590, and 8910 kcal.
  • The study also estimates that for every gram of body weight gain, foals ingested 0.37 g protein and 8.3 kcal at 11 days, 0.26 g protein and 6.7 kcal at 25 days, and 0.30 g protein and 7.8 kcal at 39 days of age.

Cite This Article

APA
Oftedal OT, Hintz HF, Schryver HF. (1983). Lactation in the horse: milk composition and intake by foals. J Nutr, 113(10), 2096-2106. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/113.10.2096

Publication

The Journal of nutrition
ISSN: 0022-3166
NlmUniqueID: 0404243
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 113
Issue: 10
Pages: 2096-2106

Researcher Affiliations

Oftedal, O T
    Hintz, H F
      Schryver, H F

        MeSH Terms

        • Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
        • Animals
        • Carbohydrates / analysis
        • Eating
        • Female
        • Horses / physiology
        • Lactation
        • Lipids / analysis
        • Milk / analysis
        • Milk Proteins / analysis
        • Nutritional Requirements
        • Pregnancy

        Citations

        This article has been cited 13 times.
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