Investigation of the changes in physical and chemical parameters of Damascus goat milk in the early postpartum

Abstract

The aim of this study was to reveal the milk components and the changes in their characteristics in Damascus goats during the early postpartum period. For this purpose, 50 Damascus goats (aged 2 to 8 years) were selected for this study. A total of 291 milk samples were collected under sterile conditions during the mornings of the 10th, 20th and 30th days postpartum. Results were statistically analysed using the Mann-Whitney U Test and repeated measures ANOVA. All collected samples were analysed for milk composition (lactose (L), protein (P), casein (C), fat (F), total solid (TS), solid not fat (SNF), freezing point (FP), acidity (A), density (D), free fatty acid (FFA), and citric acid (CA)). A significant decrease was detected in P, C, F, TS and SNF values between the 10th and 30th days postpartum (pp) (P <0.01). Similar results were also observed in FP, A, D and CA values between the same days (P <0.05; P <0.01). A significant positive correlation was detected between FP, A, P, C, F and TS (0.812 and 0.980; P<0.05 and P<0.01). Additionally, a correlation was detected between C and P (0.983; P <0.01). These results reveal that these parameters decreased significantly in the early puerperal period compared to the first 10 days, and these decreases were not associated with an increase during milk yield in the early period of lactation (up to the 30th-day pp).