This study was escorted to know the effect of oxytocin administration before milking on milk production, somatic cells count and fat contents in milk of buffaloes. Twenty lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes were randomly divided into two groups. Group A (n = 10) buffaloes were treated intramuscularly with 30 IU of oxytocin daily before the start of milking for the period of 7 days, whereas group B (n = 10) buffaloes were given no treatment and served as control. Milk samples were collected from all buffaloes 7 days before (Phase I), during (Phase II) and after (Phase III) the treatment. There were significantly higher (P<0.05) milk production (liters) during phase-II in group A (8.57±0.07 liters) buffaloes as compare to group B (8.40±0.04 liters) whereas non-significant differences were recorded in the mean milk production between group A and B during phase-I (8.46 vs 8.43 liters) and III (8.54 liters). Somatic cells count varied from 72.96 to 97.01 × 10³ and 71.86 to 77.14 × 10³ cells per ml in group A and B, respectively. Mean somatic cells count were significantly higher (P<0.05) in group A as compared to group B during phases II of study. During phase I, II and III, there were non-significant differences (P>0.05) in fat percentage between two groups of buffaloes. It was concluded that milk production and somatic cells count in milk of Nili-Ravi buffalo were affected by oxytocin injection before milking whereas there was no effect of oxytocin on milk fat percentage.

Key words: Buffalo, Fat, Milk production, Oxytocin, Somatic cells count