Milking Techniques and the Composition of Guinea Pig Milk

Abstract

A milking machine of simplified design for use with small animals is described and the techniques used to obtain quantitative yields of milk during the entire lactation period of guinea pigs are discussed. Using these techniques, guinea pigs were milked for periods as long as 19 days without having nursed their young. A composite sample of guinea pig milk was analyzed for a larger number of constituents, and daily variations in milk yield, ascorbic acid, riboflavin and niacin concentrations are presented. Lactation curves for guinea pigs are presented which indicate that this animal is suitable for quantitative studies of the factors concerned with lactation.