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THE RATE OF DECLINE OF MILK SECRETION WITH THE ADVANCE OF THE PERIOD OF LACTATION.
S Brody1, A C Ragsdale, C W Turner
1Department of Dairy Husbandry, University of Missouri, Columbia.
The Journal of General Physiology
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Milk secretion decline follows a constant percentage rate, similar to a monomolecular chemical reaction. This indicates that lactation speed is limited by a specific substance
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Dairy Science
- Physiology
Background:
- Lactation involves complex physiological processes.
- Understanding the rate-limiting factors in milk production is crucial for dairy science.
Purpose of the Study:
- To mathematically model the decline of milk secretion during lactation.
- To identify the underlying mechanism governing the rate of milk production decline.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of milk secretion data over the lactation period.
- Application of chemical reaction kinetics, specifically monomolecular reaction equations.
Main Results:
- The decline in milk secretion can be accurately described by a monomolecular chemical reaction equation.
- A constant percentage decline in milk secretion occurs as lactation progresses.
Conclusions:
- Milk secretion rate is limited by a chemical reaction.
- Lactation processes are comparable to chemical reactions where speed depends on limiting substance concentration.
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