1. Mammary System

2. Objectives Identify the parts of the udder.
Describe the function of the cow’s udder.
Describe milk let-down and the processes of that.

3. Parts of the udder Made up of 4 glands called quarters
Each quarter has a teat that provides an outlet for milk

4. Parts of an udder

5. Can you see the quarters?

6. What about here?

7. So..what makes the milk? Udders contain alveoli that manufacture milk
Blood carries all the raw materials to the alveoli
Each alveoli contains cavities for milk

9. Parts of the Udder Teats Contain a small opening called “streak canal”
A narrow streak canal and strong muscle=cow that is harder to milk
A wide streak canal and weak muscle=easy to milk but can leak when udder is full

11. Milking – by hand, machine, or calf

12. Milking – by hand, machine, or calf
Squeeze the teat from top to bottom
Machine works in the same way with a vacuum action

13. What do udders do? Manufacture milk
Store milk until cow is milked or calf nurses

15. Milk Let-Down
Process when cow responds to a conditioned reflex to sensory stimuli
Stimuli: an event that promotes a response either consciously or unconsciously

16. Milk Let-Down
Stimuli can be a number of things and often in combination:
Washing and/or touching of the udder
Sight of a calf
Sound of a milk machine
This triggers a response in the cow to release oxytocin

17. What are some of our responses to stimuli?
Getting your books out at the beginning of class when the bell rings
Shutting off your alarm in the morning
Hunger at the smell of food
Fear at the sight of heights, spiders, snakes, etc.

19. Oxytocin and Milk Let-Down
With stimuli, the pituitary gland releases the hormone oxytocin
What are human hormones?
Do humans have oxytocin?
This is carried to the udders through the blood

20. Oxytocin – what it does
Causes muscle fibers to squeeze milk from the alveoli into the gland cistern
Milk Let-Down must occur before milk can successfully be removed from the udder
Oxytocin effect lasts about 5-7 minutes

22. The Big Picture
Udders produce milk all the time and pressure builds in the udders with milk storage
As pressure increases=production decreases so regular milking is important
About 80% of the milk is taken at each milking
Cows will dry up sooner if not enough milk is taken

23. Things to look for with the mammary system
Mastitis
Inflammation of the mammary gland caused by bacteria
Disease is followed by an infection
Usually only affects one quarter
Symptoms:
Udders will be
Swollen
Hot to the touch
Red
Abnormal Milk (lumpy, contains blood)

24. Swollen Udders

25. Redness and swollen

26. Treating Mastitis Identify the bacteria that caused it
Maintain Milking Equipment
Use approved mastitis medications
Treat as quickly as possible

28. Review What are the parts of the udder? What do udders do?
What is oxytocin?
How much milk is taken after each milking?