MINERAL ELEMENTS IN MILK OF THE WEST AFRICAN DWARF EWES AS AFFECTED BY STAGE OF LACTATION

Analysis of ewe's milk from twenty West African dwarf ewes collected from day one after parturition showed that the colostrum contained (mg/100ml) Ca 115.0 1 1,82, P 65.8± 4.08 Na 108.3 ± 2.0, K 163.2 ±1.74, Mg 17.9 0.78, CI 217.7 27.42, and (in mg/ litre) Fe 4.3±0.20, Cu 3.2 ± 0.17 Mn 0.21 ± 0.03, Zn 13.6 1 0.62, and Ug/litre of 1 311.2 ± 6.63. The corresponding values with standard deviation for the mature ewe's milk were Ca 129.5 ± 7.17 P 99.5 ± 6.20, Na 106.2 ± 1.46, K 149.7 $ 3.18, Mg 17.5 ± 1.51, CI 202.4 # 15.52 Fe 0.67. ± 0.38, Cu 0.41 ±0.39, Mn 0.07 ± 0.04, Zn 3.8 0.22 and 1 113.1 £ 28.78. The concentration of these elements in the colostrum approached that of the normal ewe s milk on the seventh day after parturition The results showed a rise in Ca P, Na Mg and C1 levels with stage of lactation and a fall in K, Fe Cu Mn, Zn and I contents of the milk with advancing lactation. .