BIOCHEMICAL PROFILE OF MILK FROM OXYTOCIN INJECTED BUFFALOES

Abstract

Milk is a lacteal secretion obtained by milking of healthy animals in its natural form, free from colostrum contains a highly rich source of energy, protein, fats, minerals, trace elements, vitamins, enzymes and others. Oxytocin, a hormone, released by pituitary gland into the blood, stimulates the secretion of milk and is bound with myoepithilial cells to induce the contraction of mammary gland resulting the expulsion of milk into the milk ducts (let down). The use of exogenous oxytocin is increasing day by day in Pakistan, which could affect the consumer’s health and milk constituents. Selected breed of buffaloes (Nili Ravi) is the best dairy animals existing in Pakistan, with good milk production. Milk of 24 Nili Ravi buffaloes were collected fortnightly fromcontrol and oxytocin treated samples from Tarir Dairy Farm, Dhanola. The samples were analyzed to determine changes in composition, enzyme activity, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals due to oxytocin. Data obtained for each attribute was subjected to statistical analysis.Oxytocin administration to buffaloes resulted in increasedpH, proteins, lactose and solid-not-fat and decreased in fat percent. Alkaline phosphotase, acid phosphotase, lactoperoxidase activity, and thiocyanate were high in oxytocin treated buffaloes while lipase activity was increased in control. Caprylic acid(C 8 ), capric acid (C 10 ), myristic acid (C 14 ), palmitic (C 16 ) were high while butyric acid (C 4 ), caproic acid (C 6 ), lauric acid (C 12 ), steric acid (C 18 ), oleic acid (C 18:1 ), linoleic acid (C 18:2 ) were low in oxytocin treated buffalo. Vitamins (A, D, E and C) were increased in oxytocin treated buffaloes as compared to control. Sodium, phosphorus, copper were increased whereas decrease in potassium, iron and zinc in experimental group. From this study it is concluded that regular oxytocin injections should be discouraged because it not only affect the milk composition but also has a promising effect on health of the consumers.