Challenges and perspectives for exploiting donkey milk in the Brazilian Northeast

Abstract

Known as an animal of multiple functions, the Equus asinus has always been used for various purposes, such as entertainment, horseback riding, means of transport, agricultural traction and dairy farming. Although, donkeys are associated with a vast heritage of social, cultural, economic and ecological importance, they have lost their importance in the activities of rural properties, both in the developed economies of European countries and in the Northeast region of Brazil. Specific studies of production systems aimed rational exploitation of the donkey species in Brazil do not exist. New perspectives for the use of donkey in the Brazilian semiarid region through the dairy industry has aroused scientific interest and the interest of investors. The donkey, allied to the low production costs and rusticity of the species, has the capacity to contribute to the economy with products of high biological value and therapeutic characteristics. Thus, this review provided a broad view of the donkey bred in the Northeast of Brazil, observing its characteristics and relevance for the region. The benefits of donkey milk and the need to promote the production and marketing of this milk in the dairy production chain will also be discussed.

>b<Asinine milk>/b<: animal health and welfare

“…However, more research is needed especially with Brazilian breeds to better understand their milk properties and the best way to produce milk in a sustainable and etically acceptable way. It is important to mention that milk production from national donkey breeds is still not legislated, in Brazil, making the entrance of farmers into the dairy market more difficult (MESSIAS et al, 2022). There is a clear demand for research about the means of production, the diffusion of knowledge regarding the qualities of this milk and the legal aspects of its production.…”

“…Understanding the consequences of early life events in pigs is also crucial for translational biology purposes. Similarities in brain anatomy, neurodevelopment processes (HOLM; WEST, 1994;LIND et al, 2007) , and immune system anatomy, function and gene expression (DAWSON; REECE; URBAN, 2009;FREEMAN et al, 2012;DAWSON et al, 2013;MAIR et al, 2014) , make the porcine model one of the best species to investigate the effects of early life adversities in humans (MEURENS et al, 2012;POHL;MEDLAND;MOESER, 2015;POHL et al, 2017) .…”