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Animal Sciences, 4/e
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Physiology of Lactation

Chapter Summary

The presence of mammary glands and their ability to secrete milk distinguishes mammals from all other forms of animal life. It is fortunate, indeed, that nature provided humans with many alternative means of obtaining the product of lactation. But especially important are the mobile, miniature milk-making factories that constitute the udders of cows and provide over 90 percent of the milk supply of humans in the United States.

Although percentages of milk constituents vary among species, the milk of all mammals contains similar components. Milk of each species was designed by nature to be especially beneficial in rearing the young of that species (Section 3.2.4). Many factors influence the composition of milk and the intensity of its secretion. However, milk composition of a given animal is nearly the same day after day and similar throughout the world.