Composition of Cottontail Rabbit Milk from Stomachs of Young and Directly from Gland

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Abstract
Milk samples were from stomachs of 27 nursing cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) within 5 min after cessation of nursing. Four milk samples were directly from mammary glands by hand milking aided by tranquilizer and oxytocin. Means and standard errors for 27 stomach samples for total solids, fat, protein, lactose, and ash were 33.6 +/- .8%, 13.9 +/- 1.7%, 14.6 +/- .5%, 2.22 +/- .05%, and 2.06 +/- .07%. Those values of 4 samples directly from the gland were 35.2 +/- .4%, 14.4 +/- .4%, 15.8 +/- .6%, 2.67 +/- .26%, and 2.07 +/- .06%. Fatty acid compositions were similar for the groups, except linoleic acid was 30.0% of fatty acids from stomach milk and 24.7% in milk obtained directly. Differences between sampling methods in palmitoleate, stearate, and oleate may have been from differences in season of sampling. Minerals were more concentrated in milk obtained directly, except potassium. Differences between milks of domesticated and cottontail rabbits are discussed.