Ninety-six multiparous Sarda ewes, average body weight
44.2±3.4 kg, at mid lactation (fourth month) were allotted to two
groups each of 48 animals (control group, C group; experimental
group, CHE group), which were balanced for age and parity.
The handling of the animals was according to Institutional Animal
Care and Use Committee (IACUC, 2004) of University of Florence.
The ewes were milked daily at 07:00 and 18:00 h using a milking machine (43 kPa; 150 pulsation/min) and the daily milk yield was
recorded.