EFFECT OF PARITY ON MILK PROXIMATE AND MINERAL COMPOSITIONS AMONG THREE BREEDS OF CATTLE UNDER EXTENSIVE MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA.

A total of 270 cows comprising 90 each of Sokoto Gudali, White Fulani, and Red Bororo were used for the study. Each breed was replicated into three parities of 30 cows each. 5ml of milk samples were collected from each cow. The parameters analyzed were milk protein, fat, ash, moisture, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and sodium. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and mean were separated by Duncan multiple range test. Results in Sokoto Gudali revealed that Parity 3 was significantly (p<0.05) higher in milk ash 0.43%, moisture 82.08%, Fe 1.23 mg/L and Na 75.36 mg/L. Parities 1 and 2 were not significantly (p>0.05) different in milk ash, moisture, Fe as 0.36% and 0.37%, 81.72% and 81.21% and 1.02 mg/L and 1.15 mg/L respectively, however they were significantly (p<0.05) lower than the values (0.43 %, 82.08 % and 1.23 mg/L) obtained in parity 3. In Red Bororo, Parity 1 was significantly (p<0.05) higher in milk protein 3.97% whereas parity 3 was significantly (p<0.05) low in milk protein 3.01%. Parity 1 was significantly (p<0.05) higher in Fe, P and Na as 1.01mg/L, 375.62mg/L and 71.22mg/L respectively whereas parity 2 and 3 were same and significantly (p<0.05) low in Na as 62.68mg/L and 64.62mg/L respectively. In White Fulani Parity 1 was significantly (p<0.05) higher in milk protein 4.52% whereas parity 2 was significantly (p<0.05) low in milk protein 3.93%. Parity 3 was significantly (p<0.05) higher in milk ash, moisture, Ca, Fe and Na as 0.46%, 85.25%, 611.48mg/L, 1.23mg/L and 75.33mg/L respectively. The milk parameters increased with increased in parity which might be influenced by development of animal mammary glands.