Basic Qualitative Parameters of Cow Colostrum and Their Dependence on Season and Post Partum Time

Abstract

Klimes J., P. Jagos, J. Bouda, S. Gajdusek: Basic Qualitative Parameters of Cow Colostrum and their Dependence on Season and Post ParIum Time. Acta vet. Hrno, 55,1986: 23-39.Under conditions of large scale' dairy unit for 2144 cows 19 physicochemical and biochemical parameters of cow colostrum and the influence of season and time after parturition on these parameters have been studied. Average samples of colostrum from the first milking, on the 3rd and 5th day post parturition were collected from cows -cross-breds of Bohemian Pied x Black Pied Lowland breeds. In summer (June) and winter (February) season colostrum of 13 and 24 cows, resp. was examined.In most parameters the highest values were found in colostrum from the first milking, the most pronounced decrease being observed for the first three days after parturition. Only the pH and lactose values were found to be lowest in colostrum from the first milking. The fat content, rennet coagulation time of colostrum and potassium concentration varied without a marked dependence upon the time elapsed after parturition. In summer season, significantly higher values of vitamin A, buffer capacity and dry matter were ob'served in at least two out of three investigated milkings; in winter, significantly higher phosphorus levels were found.• Approximately 1000 times higher GMT activity when compared with that in cow blood plasma was demonstrated in colostral whey.Higher titratable acidity, higher levels of protein, gamma globulins, sodium, GMT activity and lower lactose concentration were determined in colostrum samples from the first milking with a concentration of total protein in whey over 120 gil, when compared with colostrum with a decreased total protein content in whey.The determination of total protein concentration in colostral whey from the first milking could be regarded as a decisive criterion of the evaluation of colostrum quality. On the basis of colostrum quality the level of nutrition, maintenance, and health condition of mother in the last gravidity trimester may be assessed together with other factors which will influence further development of the calves.

Composition and properties of bovine colostrum: a review

“…Several authors have reported similar trends, i.e. that the pH of colostrum is low initially and increases with time post-partum (Klimes et al 1986;Madsen et al 2004;Tsioulpas et al 2007;Jeong et al 2009). The precise reason for the low pH of colostrum is unknown.…”

“…A low level of lactose in early post-partum milkings, followed by a steady increase thereafter, until a normal level is reached, has been reported by several authors (Parrish et al 1948(Parrish et al , 1950Klimes et al 1986;Madsen et al 2004;Kehoe et al 2007;Tsioulpas et al 2007;Georgiev 2008;El-Fatah et al 2012;Morrill et al 2012). Lactose concentrations as low as 1.2% have been reported in colostrum (Kehoe et al 2007;Morrill et al 2012).…”

“…Unlike for calcium, phosphate, magnesium and sodium, there are variable reports in the literature regarding the concentration of potassium in colostrum. Toshiyoshi et al (1982) and Klimes et al (1986) reported low levels of potassium in colostrum at parturition but a gradual increase thereafter. Abd El-Fattah et al (2012) reported that the concentration of potassium in colostrum decreased from 1795 mg.kg −1 at parturition to 650 mg.kg −1 after 14 days, which is significantly lower than that typically found in milk.…”

Influence of parity on concentrations of enzymes, proteins, and minerals in the milk of cows

“…In addition, Klimes et al (1986) failed to find a correlation between calcium and phosphorus content and protein concentration in bovine colostrum whey; this is in contrast with the results reported by Gaucheron (2005), who found a significant positive correlation between these parameters in whole milk. These findings lead to the conclusion that the correlation between calcium and inorganic phosphorus and protein fraction of colostrum and milk is due to the interactions between these minerals and casein.…”

“…As in the study of Klimes et al (1986), the levels of constituents such as calcium, magnesium, and inorganic phosphorus were much higher at the first milking postpartum. Kume and Tanabe (1993) reported that the colostrum concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium were higher immediately after calving and decreased rapidly in the subsequent 24h, which is in contrast with the findings of the present study in which the concentration of these elements also decreased, but in a much slower fashion.…”