Effect of Oxytocin Administration on Milk Yield of West African Dwarf Does during Late Lactation

Résumé

The evaluation of the effect of oxytocin administration on milk yield of West African Dwarf (WAD) does during late lactation was carried out over the period of four weeks. Twenty One lactating does kept intensively consisting of 1^st and 2^nd parity with live weight ranges from 9.5 kg to 16.5 kg with age ranges from 1 -3 years were grouped into 3 treatments consisting of T₀ (Control), T₁ and T₂ (intramuscular injection of 2 IU and 4 IU of oxytocin, respectively) with seven animals in each treatment. Daily milk yield was extrapolated from the 12 hours yield obtained by 7:00 am in the morning following the separation of kids in the 7:00 pm of the previous night. The result obtained revealed that milk yield was significantly (p<0.05) influenced by oxytocin administration and parity but not litter size of animals. Milk yield increased with increases doses of oxytocin up to 2IU and also with increase number of parity. Therefore it was concluded that oxytocin could be administered to lactating WAD does during late lactation to increase milk yield.