Impact of early weaning on constituents and nutritional values of camel milk in modern system

BACKGROUND: Camel milk is very suitable for human nutritional requirements, and its composition has similarities to mother’s milk. Many scientific researches focusing on the myth of nutritional and therapeutic properties of camel milk have been brought to public attention. AIM: This study aims to clarify the impact of early weaning on constituents and nutritional values of the milk of camels reared under a modern farming system during four months postpartum. METHODS: Eight lactating camels and eight calves were selected immediately after calving and were assigned to two equal groups under a semi-intensive system in a farm. In the early weaning group (G1), all the calves were allowed to freely suckle their mother’s teats from birth to 30 days postpartum. Afterward, the calves were used to stimulate milk letdown for each of the camels’ teats for a few seconds before the milking procedure. While in the late weaning group (G2), the calves freely suckled their mother’s teats up to 80 days postpartum. Afterward, the calves were restricted from suckling and were used mainly to stimulate milk letdown for the milking procedure. Collection of milk samples started in the 2nd week of postpartum and continued over biweekly intervals up to 16 weeks to determine major fat, protein, lactose, solid non-fat (SNF), and density percentages. RESULTS: The results revealed significant differences in fat, lactose, and density content between groups. We reported significant increases in the percentages of fat, lactose, protein, and SNF levels, besides fluctuations in density with the advancement of the lactation stage. CONCLUSION: In the early weaning group, the dams produced milk containing high levels of fat and SNF compared to the lactating dams in the late weaning group.