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Catecholamines, oxytocin and milk removal in dairy cows

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2009

Jürg W. Blum
Affiliation:
Institute of Animal Science, Federal Institute of Technology, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
Dieter Schams
Affiliation:
Institute of Physiology, Technical University of Munich, 8055 Freising – Weihenstephan, FRG
Rupert Bruckmaier
Affiliation:
Institute of Physiology, Technical University of Munich, 8055 Freising – Weihenstephan, FRG

Summary

Experiments were designed to study the effects of catecholamines on oxytocin responses and milk removal in dairy cows. Adrenalin, noradrenalin, dopamine, isoproterenol (a β-adrenoceptor agonist), phentolamine (an α-adrenergic blocker) and propranolol (a β-adrenergic blocker) were infused intravenously. In addition, adrenalin was infused together with phentolamine and/or propranolol. Infusions started 8 min before milking and lasted until the end of milking. In some cases electroshocks (for 5 s) were applied immediately before milking in the absence and presence of phentolamine and propranolol. Adrenalin, noradrenalin and dopamine reduced milk removal, but only if administered in supraphysiological amounts. The effect of adrenalin and electroshocks on milk removal could be inhibited by α-, but not by β-adrenergic blockade. The effect of dopamine could be inhibited only partly by phentolamine. Inhibition of milk removal was not mediated by reduced oxytocin responses. Enhanced local release of catecholamines from sympathetic nerves was presumably responsible for lowered milk removal in response to electroshocks. Milk removal was facilitated during α-adrenergic blockade and during β-adrenoceptor stimulation.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Proprietors of Journal of Dairy Research 1989

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