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Asian elephant ( Elephas maximus ) milk composition during the first 280 days of lactation
Author(s) -
Mainka Susan A.,
Cooper Robert M.,
Black Sandra R.,
Dierenfeld Ellen S.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
zoo biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.5
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1098-2361
pISSN - 0733-3188
DOI - 10.1002/zoo.1430130412
Subject(s) - lactation , biology , elephas , composition (language) , zoology , retinol , lactose , vitamin , milk fat , nutrient , food science , endocrinology , pregnancy , ecology , linseed oil , linguistics , philosophy , genetics
Milk samples (n = 10) taken during the first 280 days of lactation from one Asian elephant were examined for nutrient composition including total solids, protein, fat, ash, α‐tocopherol, and retinol levels. Total solids averaged 19.7 ± 2.7% SD (range 15.0–23.3). Percent protein remained fairly stable throughout this portion of lactation and averaged 3.4 ± 0.3% (range 3.0–.4.0). Ash content averaged 0.54 ± 0.03%. Milk fat and fat soluble vitamin levels varied considerably with a suggestion of a cyclic pattern. Fat content of milk averaged 7.6 ± 2.6% (range 3.9–.12.1); α‐tocopheral levels averaged 0.33 ± 0.12 μg/ml; and retinol levels averaged 0.46 ± 0.1 μg/ml. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.