Quantification Of Oxytocin Residues In Dairy Milk From Sindh, Pakistan

In this study, a total of 84 milk samples (60 nonbranded and 24 branded) were analysed for occurrence of oxytocin (OT) residues by ELISA. OT level was detected in the range of 39.29-456.55pgmL(-1) with mean value of 138.53ngL(-1). In branded milk samples, OT residues were minimal as compared to nonbranded milk samples. Nonbranded milk samples had higher prevalence of OT residues; 16.67% had OT level in the range of 500ngL(-1). The average daily intake of OT was found 0.087gday(-1) per person. It was concluded that the OT concentration was relatively higher in samples obtained from dairy farm, dairy shop and milk man than that in ultra-high temperature (UHT) and powder milk samples. In addition, there are no reports subjected to standardising a permissible OT level in dairy milk category, although OT is considered detrimental to both human and animal life.