Physicochemical quality characteristics of foremilk and hindmilk from native and crossbred dairy goats in a semi-intensive production system

Abstract

The focus of this study was to investigate how the relative levels of physicochemical compositions in foremilk and hindmilk change during lactation and how they differed in relation to environmental factors and the offspring and maternal factors (including genotype, parity, offspring sex, birth type, flock, and year) that might influence these changes. The effects of these compositional changes on functional and health during lactation were then assessed. In conclusion, the effects of environmental factors on the physicochemical components of foremilk and hindmilk varied throughout lactation, and it is highly likely that these changes reflect the changing requirements of the mother and the growing offspring.