Abstract

GOMES, Viviani; DELLA LIBERA, Alice Maria Melville Paiva; MADUREIRA, Karina Medici  and  ARAUJO, Wanderley Pereira de. Influence of lactation stage on goat (Capra hircus) milk composition. Braz. J. Vet. Res. Anim. Sci. [online]. 2004, vol.41, n.5, pp. 340-342. ISSN 1413-9596.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-95962004000500008.

The influence of the stage of lactation in the composition of goat milk was studied in 27 Saanen goats during eight months. These animals provided a total of 304 samples that were microbiologically negative. Animals were healthy and presented no alterations in the physical examination of the mammary gland. The following analyses were performed: concentration of fat, protein, lactose and total solids. Protein concentrations were stable during the whole trial, whereas total solids, fat and lactose decreased during lactation. The results showed that the constitution of goat milk is influenced by the stage of lactation.

Keywords : Milk; Goats; Composition; Lactation.