Changes in Chemical and Mineral Contents of Awassi Ewes’ Milk During Lactation

This study aimed to determine the chemical composition and mineral contents of Awassi ewes’ milk during lactation. Morning milks of 150 Awassi ewes were taken once a week during 18 weeks of lactation. Mean values obtained from analyses of the ewes’ milk samples were 17.54% ± 1.35 for dry matter; 6.61% ± 1.33 for fat; 10.93% ± 0.44 for non-fat dry matter; 5.68% ± 0.48 for protein; 4.34% ± 0.27 for lactose and 99.05 ± 11.63 kcal/100 g for energy value; 0.149% ± 0.008 for titratable acidity; 6.72 ± 0.42 for pH; and 1.0334 ± 0.001 g/cm3 for specific gravity. The contents of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and sodium of the samples were 395.2 ± 97.58 mg/100 g, 138.7 ± 22.38 mg/100 g, 119.9 ± 36.54 mg/100 g, 19.5 ± 1.65 mg/100 g, and 74.3 ± 11.75 mg/100 g, respectively. Results of the statistical analyses indicated significant lactational effects on the contents of dry matter, fat, and sodium (P < 0.01) and energy value, pH, titratable acidity, and specific gravity (P < 0.05).