Effect of litter size on milk yield in the rat

M. Morag, F. Popliker, R. Yagil

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

The amount of milk removed from rats during 1 hour's suckling after a separation period of 8 hours was estimated by weighing their pups. In the 1st experiment litters of 9 pups were suckled by all rats. At test sucklings held daily on days 6-15 of lactation, pups were reallocated to give 3, 6, 9, 12 or 15 pups per dam. The largest amount of milk was removed at suckling by groups of 12 pups. In a 2nd experiment, rats were constantly sucked by litters of either 3, 6, 9, 12 or 15 pups from birth to slaughter at 15 days post partum. Rats with 12 and 15 pups yielded the most milk, nearly twice as much as those suckling only 6 or 9 pups. Litters of 3 pups consumed less than 1/3 of the amount consumed by litters of 6 or 9 pups.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)43-47
Number of pages5
JournalLaboratory Animals
Volume9
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1975

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Animal Science and Zoology
  • General Veterinary

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