Effect the lactation period and parities on milk composition in Arabi ewe

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lactation stage and numbers of parities on milk composition in Arabi ewe. Thirty Arabi ewes (10 ewe per each group from first, second and third parity) with average weight of 47 Kg in randomized design were used. After the parturition of ewes from each group, milk samples were collected every two weeks for two months to evaluate the milk composition. In the third parity ewes, the highest milk protein percent was related to the second month of lactation (p < 0.05). In the first, second and third parity, milk fat percent was increased with lactation progress (p < 0.05). The highest amount of total solid was belonged to ewes in their third parity in the 8th week of lactation (p < 0.05). In the first parity ewes, the amount of total solid was fluctuating with lactation (p < 0.05). In first and third parity of ewes, the percentage of milk lactose in the 8th week of lactation was higher than the previous stages of lactation. In the first parity ewes, pH increased with progress the lactation period (p < 0.05). In general, physicochemical characteristics of Arabi ewe milk, except ash and density, were affected by parity and lactation stage.