Role of oxytocin in milk production and health of dairy animals -- a review

摘要

Oxytocin is released from the posterior pituitary and plays an important role in milk let down, expulsion of placenta and induction of parturition in dairy animals. Various doses ofoxytocin have been used for let-down of milk and their effect on milkproduction observed. However, the use of this hormone has raised many controversies regarding its effect on health and reproduction of dairy animals and also the secretion of hormone in milk. Although oxytocin triggers off number of actions in the body,the present paper discusses the role and importance of this hormone in effective milk removal and its effect on milk composition and health of dairy animals.