07/08/2025
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฐโ๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ค ๐๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐?
Milk production in cows is a fascinating natural process that begins only after a cow gives birth. Hereโs a step-by-step look at how it works:
1๏ธโฃ Hormonal Changes After Calving
Once a cow calves (gives birth), her body releases specific hormonesโespecially prolactinโwhich stimulate the mammary glands to start producing milk.
2๏ธโฃ Role of the Mammary Glands
The udder contains tiny milk-producing units called alveoli. These sacs are lined with epithelial cells that draw nutrientsโsuch as water, proteins, fats, and sugarsโfrom the cowโs blood and convert them into milk.
3๏ธโฃ The Milk Let-Down Reflex
When a calf suckles or the cow is milked, the hormone oxytocin is released. This causes the muscles around the alveoli to contract, pushing milk through ducts toward the teats, where it can be collected.
4๏ธโฃ Whatโs in Cowโs Milk?
Fresh cowโs milk is a nutrient-rich fluid made up of:
Water (~87%)
Lactose (milk sugar)
Proteins (casein & whey)
Fat
Vitamins & minerals (especially calcium, phosphorus, vitamin Bโโ)
5๏ธโฃ Maintaining Milk Production โป๏ธ
As long as the cow is milked regularly, hormonal signals keep stimulating milk production. If milking stops, production will gradually decrease.
๐ Fun Fact:
A cow must give birth at least once to produce milk. Dairy cows are often bred again while still lactating to sustain the production cycle.
๐ Reference:
National Research Council (NRC). Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle. 7th Rev. Ed., National Academies Press, Washington, D.C., 2001.
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