Question

Which of the followings is not a consequence of incomplete milking of cow during late lactation

• A. Cow may dry off soon
• B. Lactation milk yield will be less
• C. Udder infections may set in
• D. Cow may abort the carrying foetus

Hint:

Incomplete milking always leads to three main problems:
1. Decreased milk secretion (via FIL feedback)
2. Early drying off
3. High risk of mastitis
It has absolutely no effect on gestation or fetal health.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Incomplete milking refers to leaving a significant volume of milk inside the udder cistern and alveoli after a milking session. This has direct physiological consequences on milk synthesis and udder health.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate the physiological effects of incomplete milking, particularly in late lactation:

Options (A) and (B): Milk left in the udder contains a chemical inhibitor called Feedback Inhibitor of Lactation (FIL), a protein that down-regulates milk synthesis via negative feedback.
Additionally, the physical pressure of accumulated milk causes the alveoli to compress, reducing capillary blood flow and nutrient delivery.
This accelerates the involution of secretory tissue, causing the cow to dry off prematurely and reducing her overall lactation milk yield. These are direct consequences.

Option (C): Stagnant milk inside the udder provides an ideal warm, nutrient-rich medium for bacterial growth.
Pathogens entering through the teat canal can multiply rapidly, leading to clinical or subclinical mastitis (udder infections). This is a direct consequence.

Option (D): Abortion (the premature expulsion of a fetus) is triggered by systemic factors, infectious diseases (such as Brucellosis), severe physical trauma, or extreme hormonal imbalances (such as progesterone deficiency).
The accumulation of milk in the mammary gland has no physiological mechanism that can trigger uterine contractions or compromise the placenta. Therefore, abortion is not a consequence of incomplete milking.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (D).