The present study was designed to measure levels of
oxytocic activity in the blood of cows before, during,
and after physical stimulation to the teats and udder.
It was also designed to determine the relationship between
these levels and intramammary pressure. Knowledge
in both these areas has been lacking up to the present.
Some information in these areas was obtained as a result
of this study.
It was found that a wide variation existed in the
levels of oxytocic activity between cows. In most cows,
a bulk of oxytocic activity was detected in the interval
of one to four minutes after stimulation began. The
activity rapidly declined to low levels, with some exceptions,
between the third and fourth minute post-stimulation.
This information indicates that no specific changes need to be made in the present milking procedures.
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