Factors affecting milk composition of Algerian ewe reared in central steppe area

The aim of this study was to assess changes in composition of individual raw ewe’s milk reared in Algerian area steppe. In total 167 milk samples from two local breeds, Ouled Djellal (75 samples) and Rumbi (92) were taken. For each ewe, we recorded the number of lactation (primiparous vs. multiparous), lactation stage (beginning, middle or end) and age. Milk samples were taken twice time from lactating period during winter and spring season. Rumbi ewe milk exhibited the highest (p?0.001) protein, lactose, solid-non-fat and density than Ouled-Djellal ewe milk. Conversely, Ouled-Djellal manifested significantly higher (p?0.001) fat concentration and freezing point in milk than the Rumbi. The pH value was not significantly affected by breed. The stage of lactation had significant effect on fat contents (p?0.05) and freezing point (p?0.01) while, other parameters studied were not significantly influenced by lactation stage. The season had a significant effect on all parameters tested except total solids. Lactose and freezing point were not significantly affected by the age of ewe. On the contrary there was an important effect of age for other parameters. Regarding the lactation number, no significant effects were found.