A feeding trial was carried out using 20 lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes, divided into 4 groups (n=5) having similar parity and milk production to examine the influence of 2% NaOH treated rice husk on their milk yield and composition, blood metabolites and nutrient digestibility. Four iso-nitrogenous (14.0% crude protein (CP)) and iso-caloric (metabolizable energy (ME) 2.5 Mcal/kg) rations, containing zero (control), 10%, 20% and 30% rice husk, were formulated. Buffaloes were individually fed the diets ad libitum. Ten kg of available green fodder (Trifolium alexandrinum, berseem) was also offered to each animal. Feed consumed was noted daily by subtracting refusals. Milking was twice a day with the yield being recorded. Milk samples were analyzed for fat, solids-not-fat, total solids and protein. A digestibility trial was conducted at the end of the study for seven days using three animals from each group. Milk yield and composition was similar across the treatments. Nutrient digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber and ash increased linearly with increasing levels of treated rice husk, but differences were non-significant (P>0.05). Similarly, changes in blood metabolites also not significantly affected by the treatments. It can be concluded that treatment of rice husks with a low level of NaOH has no harmful effect, so can be used in the formulation of diets for lactating buffaloes. Manuscript profile

The objective of the study was to assess the effect of exogenous administration of oxytocin on production, composition and minerals content in milk of Nili Ravi Buffalo. At three lactation phases, milk samples were collected from two groups of eight animals each under controlled atmosphere and feeding conditions. One group was subjected to intramuscular injection of oxytocin (20 IU) and other was kept as control. Significant variations were obtained in milk composition along with lactations phases. Decrease in fat, protein, lactose, solids not fat and total solids contents and increase in toal milk was recorded in oxytocin administreted milk. Minerals’ analysis of the milk samples were conducted and it was concluded that lactation stages have significant effect on minerals composition i.e. macro minerals (Na, Cl, K, Ca, Mg and P) and micro mineral (Zn and Cu) in milk. Oxytocin administration showed significant effect on milk minerals during various lactation stages as sodium, chloride and copper contents increased while potassium decreased. It was concluded that indiscriminate use of oxytocin for milk let down considerably influences minerals profile and results in detrimental variations of gross composition of milk. Manuscript profile