Chemical and amino acid composition of colostrum and mature milk differ only slightly in mink (Mustela vison)

To determine differences in chemical composition between colostrum and mature milk in mink, milk samples were collected from 12 dams as close to the end of parturition as possible (n = 12), and at 24 h (n = 3), 48 h (n = 3) and 1 week (n = 12) postpartum. The milk samples were analysed for dry matter (DM), ash, crude protein, fat, carbohydrate, and amino acid composition. The DM content was higher (p < 0.05) in milk sampled at parturition than at 24 and 48 h postpartum. Also, the crude protein content decreased (p < 0.05) after the first 24 h postpartum. However, the fat, carbohydrate and ash contents did not change (p > 0.05) during the first week of lactation. The proportion of essential amino acids tended to decrease during the first 24 h postpartum. During the first week of lactation, the phenylalanine and tyrosine contents decreased while the cysteine content increased. However, in general, the differences between colostrum and mature milk were less pronounced in the mink than in many other species. Thus, colostrum seems to be of little importance in the mink in conferring passive immunity and hence for kit survival.     

The effect of colostrum ingestion during the first 24 hours of life on early postnatal development of piglet immune systems

It has been suggested that colostrum is important not only for direct protection from pathogens but also for proper development of immune systems in piglets. In this study, we focused on the effect of colostrum ingestion during the first 24 h of life on early postnatal development of piglet immune systems. Thirty‐six piglets from five litters were divided into colostrum‐fed (CoF) and colostrum‐deprived (CoD) groups. The former group was allowed to suckle normally while formula milk was fed to the latter group during the first 24 h of life. At the weaning period, the concentrations of fecal immunoglobulin (Ig) A and plasma IgG as well as the number of blood leukocyte subsets were analyzed. Fecal IgA and plasma IgG concentrations in the CoF group were more than twice as high as those in the CoD group (P < 0.01). In addition, the number of blood B cells was significantly higher in the CoF group than that in the CoD group (P < 0.05). This study demonstrates that colostrum ingestion during the first 24 h plays a significant role in early postnatal development of both mucosal and systemic immunity of piglets.     

Detection of cytokines in bovine colostrum

Colostrum contains factors that are protective for the neonate and may be a source of immunomodulary molecules that positively influence the immune status of the neonate. To confirm that colostrum contains a variety of cytokines with immunomodulatory properties, we established a bovine cytokine specific ELISA and five cytokines (IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, INF-gamma or IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-1ra) in the whey samples from cows at different stages of lactation were monitored. The expression of cytokine mRNAs (IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha and INF-gamma) in the colostral cells was detected by RT-PCR. The concentrations of cytokines in colostrum were significantly higher concentrations than those in the mature milk. A positive correlation was observed between the concentrations of IL-1ra and IL-1 beta in the colostrum samples. In conclusion, colostrum contains high levels of cytokines that could be produced and secreted in the mammary gland and that may have an immunomodulatory activity and influence neonatal immunity.     

Effects of oral administration of colostrum whey in peripartum goat on antimicrobial peptides in postpartum milk

The present study was conducted to examine whether colostrum supplementation in peripartum goats increases the antimicrobial peptides in their milk. Goats were orally administered 2 ml of colostrum whey products (colostrum group) or water (control group) daily, from 2 weeks before until 2 weeks after kidding. Body weights of mothers and kids were measured. Blood, milk, and fecal samples were collected from the mothers, and blood samples were collected from the kids. Concentrations of milk antimicrobial peptides (beta‐defensin, cathelicidin, lactoferrin, S100A7, lactoperoxidase, and immunoglobulin A [IgA]) were determined. IgA and nutritional parameters (glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, ketone bodies, and non‐esterified fatty acids) were also determined in the blood of mothers and kids. Milk IgA and lactoferrin concentrations were higher in the colostrum group than in the control group. Conversely, lower milk concentrations of S100A7 were observed in the colostrum group than that in the control group. Plasma IgA concentrations were higher for kids from the colostrum group than for those from the control group. These results suggest that oral administration of colostrum in pregnant goats increases IgA concentration in postpartum milk, which can subsequently improve the health of their kids.     

Effects of colostrum whey on immune function in the digestive tract of goats

The objective of the present study is to examine whether colostrum whey can have an effect on immune function in goats digestive tract. Two milliliters of colostrum whey (colostrum group) or water (control group) were administrated orally to goats every day for 3 weeks. Blood was collected twice a week for 3 weeks to measure immunoglobulin A (IgA), interleukin 8 (IL‐8), and IL‐10. At the end of the experimental period, the parotid glands, oral mucosa, lingua, esophagus, jejunum, and ileum were collected for immunohistochemical detection of IgA, cathelicidin‐7, and S100A8. The ratio of the length of IgA‐positive mucosal surface in the esophagus to the total esophageal length was significantly greater in the colostrum group than in the control group. The number of IgA‐positive cells in the labial gland and ileum in the colostrum group was significantly higher than that in the control group. There were no significant differences between the colostrum and control groups in the number of cathelicidin‐7‐positive cells in the jejunum and ileum and in the number of S100A8‐positive cells in the lingua, jejunum, and ileum. These results suggest that colostrum stimulates the recruitment of plasma cells into the labial gland, which then secrete more IgA into the saliva.     

High mineral and vitamin E intake by pregnant ewes lowers colostral immunoglobulin G absorption by the lamb

A 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with 78 mature ewes was used to evaluate the effects of supplementing the pregnant ewe's diet with high levels of minerals and vitamin E on immunoglobulin G (IgG) absorption by the lamb and whether any altered efficacy of IgG absorption was due to the colostrum or to the lamb. The ewes were estrus-synchronized in October and housed in wk 10 of gestation. In the final 7 wk of gestation, a grass silage-based diet, offered ad libitum, was supplemented with 500 g of a 19% CP concentrate, and from 1 wk later until lambing, half the ewes was offered 48 g of a mineral/vitamin supplement containing 6.5 g of Ca, 4.9 g of P, 5.9 g of Mg, 4.0 g of Na, 790 mg of Zn, 3.5 mg of Se, 40 mg of I, 200 mg of Mn, 20 mg of Co, and 40 IU of vitamin E. At birth, the lambs were allocated to one of four treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement, with lamb origin and colostrum origin as the two factors. The lambs born to ewes not offered the mineral supplement were fed colostrum obtained from their own dams or from ewes in the mineral-supplemented treatment, whereas lambs born to ewes given supplemental minerals were fed colostrum obtained either from their dams or from ewes in the control treatment. The ewes were milked at 1, 10, and 18 h postpartum and the lambs were fed using a stomach tube. A 5-mL blood sample was taken from each lamb at 24 h postpartum for IgG analysis. The level of fecal adhesion to the upper tail/rump area of the lamb was subjectively scored at 72 h postpartum. There was no difference in gestation length, lamb birth weight, colostrum yield, or IgG production (P = 0.16 to 0.82). When ewes were fed supplemental minerals, the serum IgG content of the progeny was lower than in their control counterparts (6.8 vs. 16.1 g/L; P < 0.001), regardless of whether the lamb received colostrum from ewes with or without access to supplementary minerals. The difference in serum IgG concentrations at 24 h postpartum was a direct reflection of a compromised efficiency in IgG absorption. The progeny of ewes with access to minerals had higher (P < 0.05) levels of fecal adhesion, which was not related to the origin of the colostrum, indicating altered digestive function in these lambs. We conclude, using the sheep as a model, that high mineral intakes in late pregnancy not only lower serum IgG concentrations in the lamb, but also that high mineral intakes result in the neonate being preprogrammed at birth so that it is born with a compromised ability to absorb colostral IgG.     

Absorption of colostral immunoglobulins and its interdependence

Three main factors underlying the immunity state of newborn calves are evaluated. During the absorption of colostral immunoglobulins the immunoprotein profile of a newborn calf is influenced by the following factors (arranged according to importance): volume of the first colostrum taken in, time of the first drinking, and immunoglobulin concentration (IgG and IgM) in colostrum. When given 1.1 or 2.0 litres of colostrum of about the same quality (as to immunity), the calves of the compared groups had significantly different levels of total serum Ig measured 24 hours after birth: 10.7 and 18.6 U ZST (P less than 0.05) and 48 hours after birth: 11.7 and 19.7 U ZST (P less than 0.01). A significant difference in total serum proteins was observed only in the 48th hour post partum (54.4 and 63.6 g per litre; P less than 0.05). At the intake of 1.5 litres of colostrum within two and five hours after birth, with the same total intake of the sum of IgG and IgM in the groups, the calves exhibited, in the 24th hour, total serum Ig levels of 14.4 and 12.4 U ZST (P greater than 0.05) respectively, and 56.0 and 47.9 g per litre (P greater than 0.05) of total serum protein, respectively. With a different concentration of colostral IgG (122.0 or 77.0 g per litre) the statistically significant Ig absorption into blood was adequately different (17.2 and 10.0 U ZST, respectively, P less than 0.05). The differences in the concentration of total serum Ig and total proteins between the 24th and 48th hour after birth were only very small and statistically insignificant. Regression analysis proved a significant relation (P less than 0.01) between the level of total serum Ig 24 and 48 hours after birth and the total amount of IgG and IgM taken in with the first colostrum. The calves coming from primiparae had a lower immunity (P less than 0.01) in comparison with the calves of multiparae. A similar relation in the absorption of colostral Ig was observed when the spontaneously born calves were compared with those born by the Caesarean section (P less than 0.01).     

Antioxidants in Colostrum and Milk of Sows and Cows

On account of the oxidative stress conditions that may appear during parturition, colostrum should provide with not only nutritional and immunological components but also antioxidative protection of newborn. There is evidence that apart from well-known antioxidative enzymes like glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase or low molecular antioxidants, proteins like lactoperoxidase (LPO), lactoferrin (LF) and ceruloplasmin (CP) may exert antioxidative properties in colostrum. The aim of present study was to determine and to evaluate LPO, LF and CP activities in colostrum and milk of sows and cows. Samples were collected from 16 healthy cows five times: immediately after parturition, 12, 24 and 48 h, and 7 days postpartum as well as from 14 healthy sows five times: immediately after parturition, 6, 12, 24 and 36 h later. Examined parameters were determined spectrophotometrically at 412, 560 and 540 nm respectively. LPO activity was higher in sows as in cows and increased significantly within examined time. LF ability to inhibit superoxide radical generation was higher in sows as in cows and increased significantly within examined time. CP oxidase activity was higher in cows as in sows and decreased significantly during experimental period. In conclusion, antioxidative defence system in colostrum shows dynamic changes that allow for providing with necessary protection from oxidative stress conditions, which may appear after parturition.     

安格斯母牛初乳产量与质量测定及其新生犊牛被动免疫效果评价

【目的】 新生犊牛被动免疫转移失败（failure of passive transfer,FPT）会导致犊牛发病率和死亡率显著增高,影响后期生长发育。本试验针对国外引进的安格斯母牛初乳产量和质量进行测定,并对其新生犊牛被动免疫效果进行评估,以期为新生犊牛初乳管理措施制定提供科学依据。【方法】 随机选择健康安格斯初产母牛（24月龄）和经产母牛（36~48月龄）各15头,待母牛产犊后立即进行人工挤奶测定初乳产量、营养成分及免疫球蛋白浓度。选取初产和经产新生犊牛各15头,测定其初生重,分别采集犊牛出生后未食初乳（0 h）和食初乳后（24~36 h）血样,测定其血清总蛋白含量及各生理生化指标。【结果】 初产母牛平均初乳产量极显著低于经产母牛,但其初乳中乳蛋白、非脂乳固体、乳糖、灰分含量,以及密度和电导率均极显著高于经产母牛（P<0.01）。初产母牛和经产母牛初乳中免疫球蛋白浓度分别为28.72%和26.24%,合格率分别为93.33%和91.67%,差异均不显著（P>0.05）;初产和经产新生犊牛被动免疫失败率分别为33.3%和25.0%;初产新生犊牛平均初生重极显著低于经产新生犊牛（P<0.01）;被动免疫成功犊牛平均初生重和球蛋白含量均极显著高于被动免疫失败犊牛（P<0.01）。【结论】 新疆安格斯犊牛FPT的主要原因可能是母牛初乳产量低导致新生犊牛初乳摄入不足,初生重较低的犊牛FPT的风险性较高。本研究为制定切实可行的新生安格斯犊牛初乳补饲计划提供了科学基础。     

Immunoglobulin levels in ewe colostrum and in lamb serum

The immunoglobulin content of ewe colostrum falls rapidly after the first suckling and reaches a low level 36 h after the first feed. The whey content of colostrum will rise by more than 50 per cent during the same period. The production of colostral immunoglobulin during the 24 h following the first feed was related, in this work, to the amount of colostrum produced; the greater the colostrum production, the greater the immunoglobulin production. Colostrum production ranged from 1216 to 4493 g and immunoglobulin production from 22-21 to 86-34 g during the eight feeds studied. Colostrum production was related to demand by the lambs. There was a clear positive correlation between the total amount of immunoglobulin the lambs' circulation 30 h after the first feed and the immunoglobulin consumed. Approximately 20 to 25 per cent of the immunoglobulin ingested was present in the lambs' circulation at this time.     

Shotgun proteomic analysis of porcine colostrum and mature milk

The epitheliochorial nature of the porcine placenta prevents the transfer of maternal immunity. Therefore, ingestion of the colostrum immediately after birth is crucial for neonatal piglets to acquire passive immunity from the sow. We performed a shotgun proteomic analysis of porcine milk to reveal in detail the protein composition of porcine milk. On the basis of the Swiss‐Prot database, 113 and 118 proteins were identified in the porcine colostrum and mature milk, respectively, and 50 of these proteins were common to both samples. Some immune‐related proteins, including interleukin‐18 (IL‐18), were unique to the colostrum. The IL‐18 concentration in the colostrum and mature milk of four sows was measured to validate the proteomic analysis, and IL‐18 was only detected in the colostrum (191.0 ± 53.9 pg/mL) and not in mature milk. In addition, some proteins involved in primary defense, such as azurocidin, which has never been detected in any other mammal's milk, were also identified in the colostrum.     

Effect of enhancing curd formation during the first colostrum feed on absorption of gamma glutamyl transferase by newborn calves

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of curd formation within the abomasum, on the absorption of gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) from colostrum in newborn calves. DESIGN: An in vivo physiological study with controls, and in vitro examination of calf abomasal fluid. PROCEDURES: Newborn calves were taken from cows without allowing them to suckle. They were fed either 1.5 kg colostrum or 1.5 kg colostrum plus rennet, with intervals between calving and colostrum feeding ranging from 0.4 to 12.7 h. Absorption of proteins from the whey component of colostrum was assessed from the rise in activity of serum GGT. In in vitro studies, colostrum was incubated with bovine amniotic fluid, newborn calf abomasal fluid or newborn calf forestomach contents, with or without rennet, to test the curd inhibiting effects of components in the abomasal fluid of newborn calves. RESULTS: In vivo: addition of rennet to the colostrum feed reduced the proportion of calves with serum GGT activity below 500 U/L by 60%. In vitro: 43% of newborn calves lacked curd forming activity in their abomasal fluid, and that deficiency was corrected by adding rennet to the incubation medium. CONCLUSIONS: Some calves are born with low amounts of curd forming enzyme activity in the abomasum. This may compromise their ability to absorb large whey proteins from the first feed of colostrum. Adding rennet to the first colostrum feed may improve passive immunity in those calves.     

Trypsin inhibitor activity in the colostrum of cows

The activity of the colostral trypsin inhibitor (CTI) was studied in seven milkings of colostrum in the course of the first five days after calving in 15 cows. The activity of the total trypsin inhibitor in the colostrum was ascertained in the course of the first two days after calving in ten cows in their second to fourth lactations and also in the colostrum of the first milking after calving in the case of 11 cows. The greatest CTI activity was found in the colostrum of the first milking after calving (301 micrograms X ml-1). Between the CTI activity and the concentration of total protein (CB) in the whey of the colostrum from the first and second day after calving there was found to be a statistically significant correlation (r = +0.929). The activity of total trypsin inhibitor was also highest in the colostrum from the first milking (499 micrograms X ml-1). After calving the CTI and the total trypsin inhibitor activities in the colostrum gradually dropped. Between the activity of the total trypsin inhibitor and the CB concentration in whey from the first, third, fifth and seventh milkings after birth a statistically significant correlation was found (r = +0.972). Statistically significant correlations were also found between the activity of the total trypsin inhibitor, the specific gravity of colostrum, the concentration of total protein and gamma-globulins in the whey of the colostrum from the first milking after calving. In metabolic alkalosis the concentration of total protein in the whey and the activity of trypsin inhibitor were found to be considerably lower than the average values.     

抗犊牛肺炎支原体免疫初乳乳清的制备

为探讨抗犊牛肺炎支原体免疫初乳乳清的制备方法,本试验采用牛支原体灭活佐剂疫苗于经产前2～4周给怀孕母牛免疫接种2次,制备高免初乳,收集产后12 h之内的初乳,分别采用离心沉淀与过滤法制备脱脂初乳,采用不同的酸化法、酶化法、酸和酶结合法制备乳清,通过紫外分光光度计及ELISA方法检测乳清中的总蛋白含量及抗牛支原体抗体滴度。结果显示,4 ℃、3500 r/min离心30 min对初乳的脱脂效果最好,初乳总蛋白含量及抗牛支原体抗体滴度损失最少;酶和酸结合法的乳清析出率最高,维生素C（0.2 g/mL）处理法对脱脂初乳中蛋白损失最小,盐酸处理法对脱脂初乳中抗牛支原体抗体滴度损失最小。结果表明用0.6 mol/L盐酸调pH至4.6,室温下放置30 min,10000 r/min离心20 min是高免初乳乳清制备的适宜方法。     

Pig colostrum and milk composition:comparisons between Chinese Meishan and US breeds

The composition of colostrum and milk from Chinese Meishan and American Yorkshire gills was characterized at farrowing (d 0), 24 h after farrowing (d 1), and on d 7 and 21 of lactation. Lactose concentrations were lower for Meishan vs. Yorkshire gills on d 0, 1, and 7, but not on d 21. Fat concentrations were higher for Meishan than for Yorkshire gilts at each sampling time, particularly on d 1 and 7. Total protein concentrations were similar on d 0 and 1, but lower for Meishan than for Yorkshire gilts on d 7 and 21. Milk proteins from Meishan gilts, Yorkshire gilts, and crossbred sows (Yorkshire × Hampshire × Landrace) were compared by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Differences in size or relative proportion of caseins and the major whey proteins were not observed. Several high molecular weight whey proteins and a minor casein band were observed to segregate among breeds. These protein differences among breeds may be valuable markers in studies on lactating Mei-shan × Yorkshire crossbred animals. Results of this study suggest that colostrum and milk composition should not be a major limiting factor in survival and growth of piglets born to Meishan × Yorkshire crossbred gilts.     

Effect of different systems of colostral nutrition on the level of immunoglobulins in the blood of calves]

New-born calves, artificially fed colostrum or native colostral whey, either dried or preserved by another method, had good health and good weight gains (between 0.05 and 0.60 kg). No greater differences were observed between the groups of calves given three times the colostrum of their mothers, calves given mixed colostrum, and calves fed colostral whey powder. In all groups only individual differences in IgG content in the blood serum were observed after 48 hours from birth. Hypogammaglobulinaemia occurred in individual cases both in calves given small amounts of colostrum or colostral whey and in calves given sufficient quantities. The time that had elapsed from birth to the first drinking did not exert any greater influence upon the IgG level in the blood; the decisive factor was the amount of colostrum taken in by the calf in the first dose. The rate of the absorption of IgG1, IgG2, IgA, and IgM from colostrum and the concentration of the immunoglobulins in the serum depended on the quantity of colostrum in the first dose and were not influenced to any greater degree by the amount of colostrum given to the calves in further doses. The amount of IgG in the blood serum of calves corresponded approximately to the level of colostral antibodies to the virus PI-3. The antibodies to the virus PI-3 and small quantities of IgG were observed also in the serum to new-born calves before drinking colostrum.     

牛乳、驴乳乳清蛋白二级结构及其功能对比研究

采用傅里叶变换红外光谱法对驴初乳、驴常乳、牛初乳和牛常乳的乳清蛋白二级结构进行分析,再通过基因本体论功能注释和KEGG(Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes)代谢通路分析其功能及差异.结果表明:驴乳和牛乳乳清蛋白的二级结构存在差异;随着泌乳期的延长,二者的乳清蛋白二级结构含量也...     

基于蛋白质组学技术分析初乳和常乳摄入对初生犊牛肝脏蛋白表达的影响

【目的】试验旨在对犊牛肝脏蛋白进行蛋白质组学分析,筛选与初乳、常乳摄入相关的蛋白。【方法】以经产荷斯坦母牛分娩的9头公犊牛为研究对象,随机分为初乳组(CI)、常乳组(M)和对照组(CT),每组3头。初乳组和常乳组犊牛分别饲喂初乳和常乳,于出生后24 h屠宰;对照组未饲喂初乳或常乳,于出生后2 h屠宰。采用Label-free蛋白组学技术对3组犊牛肝脏的蛋白表达谱进行分析,以Q<0.05为阈值筛选各组间的差异表达蛋白,并进行GO功能和KEGG通路富集分析。【结果】在犊牛肝脏中共鉴定到3 901个蛋白,其中在初乳组、常乳组和对照组中分别鉴定到3 521、3 646和3 548个蛋白,有3 202个蛋白在3组中共表达。对差异表达蛋白进行分析显示,初乳组和常乳组犊牛肝脏中共筛选出287个差异表达蛋白,主要参与细胞代谢、应激反应、生长发育和氧化还原等生物过程,显著富集通路为内吞作用、氨基酸代谢和氧化磷酸化;初乳组和对照组犊牛肝脏中共筛选出154个差异表达蛋白,主要参与细胞代谢、单组织过程和肌酸合成等生物过程,显著富集通路为氨基酸代谢、黏着斑和内吞作用等。【结论】饲喂初乳的犊牛肝脏中差异表达...     

A Reevaluation of Routine Force-feeding of Dam's Colostrum to Normal Newborn Beef Calves

Forty-seven beef calves born to a group of second-calf Hereford and Hereford x Angus cows were used to assess the practical value of force-feeding dam's colostrum. The first 40 calves born were assigned alternately to two equal groups (I and II). One group was force-fed up to I L of dam's colostrum per calf. All these animals were bled at 0 and 48 h after birth. A further group (III) of seven calves born were not handled until they were bled at 48 h. A variety of methods were used to estimate immunoglobulin levels in colostral whey and serum samples. In evaluating the efficiency of passive humoral antibody transfer from dam to offspring, no significant differences were evident except in radial immunodiffusion levels which were increased in group III. The percentages of calves sucking within one hour of birth were 30%, 15% and 100% for groups I, II and III, respectively. Under the conditions of this study it appears that force-feeding of dam's colostrum to the newborn beef calf is disruptive and does not confer any practical benefit on such calves in terms of passive humoral antibody transfer.     

Effect of oral administration of colostrum on inflammation in the udders of dairy cows suffering from mastitis

The present study was undertaken to examine whether oral administration of colostrum to mastitic cows reduced inflammation in the udder. Fifty milliliters of a colostrum whey product was administered orally daily for 3 days to cows suffering from mastitis. Milk was collected on day 0 and 7 of colostrum administration. For Experiment 1, milk from 11 udder quarters with high somatic cell counts (SCC) in four cows was used. SCC in milk decreased significantly after colostrum administration, whereas colostrum administration increased sodium and IgA concentrations significantly compared with those before administration. In Experiment 2, cows with clinical mastitis were divided into two groups, with and without colostrum administration, whereas all cows with subclinical mastitis were administered colostrum. Antibiotics were infused into the mammary gland from the first day of colostrum administration for 2–4 days. There was no significant decrease in SCC after colostrum administration in any group. However, udder firmness in both clinical mastitis groups was reduced after administration regardless of colostrum administration. IgA concentration in both clinical mastitis groups was significantly increased after colostrum administration compared to that before administration, although there was no significant difference between them. These results suggest the possibility that oral administration of colostrum attenuates inflammation of the mammary gland. Further studies are required to examine the effect of colostrum more precisely using cows with subclinical and chronic mastitis and longer duration of colostrum administration.