Veterinary Lactation Physiology

This book offers a comprehensive overview of lactation physiology in farm animals, covering fundamentals such as mammogenesis, lactogenesis, and galactopoiesis across different species. The book delves into the fundamentals of milk production and nutraceutical values of milk and discusses current prospects and challenges that the industry faces, also in light of climate change. The reader learns on how mammary glands evolved, how they are structured and how they work on a molecular level. Moreover, the book addresses diseases of the mammary gland and explores the biotechnological strategies applied to enhance milk production.

This textbook combines detailed explanations with practical applications, making it an essential resource for postgraduate and PhD students, as well as faculty and researchers in veterinary physiology, biotechnology, and dairy production.

Joydip Mukherjee, MVSc, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Veterinary Physiology at the West Bengal University of Animal & Fishery Sciences, Kolkata, India. His research primarily focuses on lactation physiology, with special emphasis on innate immune mechanisms of the mammary gland in crossbred cattle and buffaloes. He has made significant contributions in standardizing and validating in vitro protocols to assess mammary gland immune competence through milk leukocyte activity under different physiological conditions. His work has also elucidated the molecular and endocrine regulation of milk leukocyte function and demonstrated modulation of immune responses through micronutrient supplementation. Currently, Dr. Mukherjee is engaged in research on electrocardiography in companion animals and diagnostic imaging. He is an editor and contributing author of the Textbook of Veterinary Physiology and a coauthor of Techniques in Veterinary Physiology. His scholarly output includes over 70 research and review articles in peer-reviewed journals, and he has mentored several postgraduate and doctoral students. His achievements have been recognized with prestigious awards and fellowships, including JRF, SRF, DST-INSPIRE Fellowship, and the Young Scientist Award (SAPI). He is presently the Section Editor (Physiology and Anatomy) of the Indian Journal of Animal Health.

Pradip Kumar Das, MSc, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Veterinary Physiology at the West Bengal University of Animal & Fishery Sciences, Kolkata, India, with expertise in reproductive, lactational, cardiovascular, environmental, and poultry physiology. His research contributions span repeat breeding, application of phytochemicals as antimicrobial agents, development of poultry husbandry databases, and assessment of environmental pollutant transmission through the food chain. He has also pioneered a sustainable backyard poultry farming model and led several externally funded research projects. Prof. Das has extensively contributed to teaching and mentorship, supervising numerous postgraduate and doctoral students. His academic output is prolific, comprising five textbooks, around thirty book chapters, ten practical manuals, and over 170 research and review articles in reputed peer-reviewed journals. Beyond academia, he has authored 20 books for entrepreneurs and produced seven feature films to promote scientific awareness among the public. He has been actively involved in professional societies, including serving as General Secretary of the Society of Animal Physiologists of India. He has coordinated more than 100 capacity-building programmes and organized about 20 national and five international scientific symposia. He has also served as a government advisor and is currently the Editor-in-Chief of the Indian Journal of Animal Health.

Dipak Banerjee, MVSc, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Veterinary Physiology at the West Bengal University of Animal & Fishery Sciences, Kolkata, India, with over 14 years of teaching and research experience in veterinary and animal physiology. He earned his PhD in Animal Physiology from the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, and previously served as Assistant Professor at Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat. Dr. Banerjee’s research focuses on stress physiology, environmental physiology, reproductive neuroendocrinology, and lactation physiology. His work integrates molecular, endocrine, and physiological approaches to elucidate the effects of stress and environmental factors on reproduction and milk production. He has handled research projects funded by various agencies and supervised several postgraduate and doctoral students. He actively contributes to the scientific community as a reviewer and editorial board member of journals. He is an editor and contributing author of chapters in the Textbook of Veterinary Physiology and a coauthor of Techniques in Veterinary Physiology. His scholarly output includes over 56 research and review articles, along with approximately 25 invited and lead presentations at national and international conferences. He has received several research awards, including the Young Scientist Award from the Society of Animal Physiologists of India.

Kalyan De, MVSc, PhD, is a scientist at the ICAR–National Research Centre on Pig, Rani, Guwahati, India. He earned his PhD in Livestock Production and Management from the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, where he developed strong expertise in applied dairy animal production and management. An animal scientist by training, Dr. De has conducted extensive research on animal behaviour, welfare, and thermal adaptability under changing environmental conditions. His work has significantly advanced the understanding of physiological and behavioural responses of livestock to environmental stress, thereby contributing to improved livestock production and management practices. His research emphasizes the use of scientific interventions and management strategies to enhance animal welfare and productivity. Currently, Dr. De is engaged in studies on colostrum production and intake, along with research on pig behaviour and welfare in responses to evolving environmental cues. Dr. De has authored three books, contributed to fifteen book chapters, and prepared four practical manuals for students. His academic contributions also include over 50 research and review articles published in peer-reviewed journals. In recognition of his scientific contributions, he was awarded the Young Scientist Award by the Indian Society for Sheep and Goat Production and Utilization (ISSGPU).