Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
•Alveoli (plural): Tinysack-like structures containing cells that secrete milk whenhormon-
al conditions are appropriate. These cells are surrounded by muscle cells that contract
during milk let down.
• Lobules: Bunches of alveoli bound together
• Lobes: Bunches of lobules
•Myoepithelialcells:Thesecellssurroundthealveoliandreleaseahormonecalledoxytocin
that stimulates the udder to let down the milk.
• Milk canals: A series of tubes that carry milk from the alveoli to the udder
The alveoli secrete milk, which then travels down the milk canals to the udder cistern, where
it accumulates. At the time of milking, the myoepithelial cells release oxytocin, which causes
the milk to travel from the udder cistern through the teat canal to the streak canal and out into
your milk bucket or jug. After milking, the Furstenberg's rosette closes, effectively plugging
the entrance to keep out bacteria and prevent leakage.
The health of the udder is maintained by milking at regular 12-hour intervals, massaging and
washing the udder before milking, and using teat dip and an udder balm.
Horns
Goats are horned animals, for the most part, though a few breeds are naturally polled, or born
without horns. Both the male and female of the species carry horns. The length and size vary
with the breed. Certain breeds, such as the Saanen, are purposely bred to be hornless, but this
has some consequences. The gene for hornlessness is linked to a gene for the development of
hermaphroditism (the presence of both male and female reproductive organs). Female goats
that received a hornless gene from both parents (homozygous) will be barren, and bucks may
suffer from blocked semen. Horned goats and polled goats that received the hornless gene
from only one parent do not have these problems. To avoid producing sterile offspring, a
hornless female should always be bred with a horned buck.
Some goat owners elect to remove the horns from their animals for safety and convenience.
Others like to leave things in a natural state. Goats use their horns to scratch themselves,
which helps to control lice and keep their skin healthy, and on occasion to defend themselves
against attacking dogs or other predators. Goats rarely wound people intentionally with their
horns, but they can use them to damage fences, shelters, and equipment. If polled goats and
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