The distribution of fat-globule size in sow's milk: I. The effect of sampling at intervals throughout milking

An improved method for the determination of fat-globule size distribution has been worked out and applied to samples of sow's milk drawn sequentially. The distribution patterns for the globule sizes of sow's milk have been determined. Globules range in size from less than ½μ to over 7μ. The maximum number of globules occurs at different sizes in different sows, the largest maximum size group so far recorded being 2–2·5μ, the smallest maximum group being 0–0·5μ. There is no marked trend in size with stage of milking, though usually the maximum size is less for later milkings if it changes. The strippings of sow's milk, unlike those of the cow, do not appear to be richer in fat than the earlier milk. Also unlike the cow, the globules of sow's milk do not cluster or clump (see Fig. 1). This explains the slow rate of creaming of sow's milk.