FAILURE OF THE MILK EJECTION REFLEX IN PRIMIPAROUS DAIRY-COWS - DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC ASPECTS

A particular failure of the milkejection reflex in dairy cows is descr ibed on the base of own experiences in farms and reports from literatu re. Four cases are reported more in detail. Quantity and far content o f cisternal, alveolar and residual milk fractions, oxytocin content in blood serum, milkejection after manual teal stimulation, after massag e of the clitoris or rectal stimulation of the vagina and cervix were investigated. This failure of the milk-ejection is observed mostly in primiparous cows and always at the begin of the lactation period. It i s complete and permanent unless successfully treated,and seems to be b ased on an central inhibition of the oxytocin release. Treatment consi sts of thorough udder stimulation and milking followed by an i. v. app lication of oxytocin in order to remove the residual milk portion. The condition has a good prognosis, if the treatment is carried out regul arly for some days and even weeks. Acute Mastitis is the main differen tial diagnosis.