New Study: Happy Cows Provide Healthier Milk

When discussing the health benefits of dairy products, we primarily refer to their calcium content. The human body contains more calcium than any other mineral, and calcium is essential for bone health and proper bodily functions. Consequently, Western diets heavily rely on dairy products to obtain sufficient calcium levels.

It's no surprise, then, that cow's milk is regularly tested to ensure it contains adequate calcium amounts. But what happens when a growing percentage of cows (about ten percent in the U.S., for instance) produce low-calcium milk? Efforts are made to find a way to boost calcium levels in milk.

A recent study conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison investigated the effects of administering serotonin to dairy cows. Serotonin is known as the hormone responsible for positive mood in both humans and animals.

The researchers injected a group of cows, half Jersey breed and half Holstein breed, with a chemical that converts to serotonin in the body. They then measured calcium levels in their blood and milk.

The results: In Jersey cows, serotonin injections increased calcium levels in milk, but not in blood. In Holstein cows, the opposite occurred: calcium levels increased in blood but not in milk.

"By studying two breeds, we could see that calcium regulation differs in each," says lead researcher Dr. Laura Hernandez. The researchers hope to study more breeds and develop serotonin treatment to affect milk calcium levels in all cow breeds. "Farmers may indeed need to adopt serotonin usage to prevent low-calcium milk production," Hernandez suggests. "This way, the cows will benefit their health while farmers manage to maintain the profitability of their farms."