Effects of caffeine and 3-isobutyl 1-methyl xanthine on caprine milk secretion

The objective of these studies was to determine if methyl xanthines can be used to alter milk production or composition in ruminants by enhancing adipose tissue mobilization. Three trials were conducted, one with intravenous caffeine infusions, one with intramuscular caffeine injections, and one with intramuscular injections of 3-isobutyl 1-methyl xanthine. Results indicate that: 1) continuous intravenous infusions of caffeine (720 mg/d) may reverse the milk fat depression of intravenously infused glucose in dairy goats; 2) intramuscular injections of caffeine (200 mg twice daily) do not reverse the milk fat-depressing effects of pelleted dairy goat diets during the 4th mo of lactation; and 3) intramuscular injections of 3-isobutyl 1-methyl xanthine (50 mg twice daily) do not consistently affect milk production of early lactation dairy goats.