A Study of Rumination Induced by Milking in the Goat.

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Abstract
Summary.: Milking is frequently seen to elicit rumination in cows and goats. The nature of this reflex was studied experimentally in lactating goats. Milking generally induced rumination within a few seconds and caused an increase of reticulo‐ruminal motility. Similar to what has previously been observed for the milk‐ejection reflex it was found that the milking situation could develop into a conditioned stimulus which in itself was sufficient to elicit rumination, and further that discomfort and irritation inhibited the milking‐rumination reflex. Amphetamine, atropine and small doses of apomorphine did not block the milking‐rumination reflex. Milking performed after the administration of large doses of apomorphine, however, no longer induced rumination but caused intense licking. The observations made are discussed in the light of present knowledge of central regulation of rumination and of reticulo‐ruminal motility.