Effect of coagulase-negative staphylococci on colostrum composition, properties and fatty acid profile

Abstract

Background: Colostrum is the first food for mammals that should give a head start to the newborn organism. By providing the body with essential nutrients, colostrum plays an immune and immunostimulating function. Colostrum quality depends on multiple factors, including microbial effect. Widespread coagulase-negative staphylococci have a great impact on colostrum qualitative indicators. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of staphylococci on colostrum quality. Results: Physical, chemical properties and fatty acid profile of cow’s colostrum were determined. In our study we identified three pathogenic coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species in the cows’ colostrum: S. sciuri (64.29 %), S. xylosus (28.57 %) and S. warneri (7.14 %). We noted that the somatic cell count (SCC) in the affected colostrum samples wasn’t noticeably higher than that in the uninfected colostrum samples. Percentage of dry matter in infected and uninfected colostrum samples was nearly the same. Contents of fat, protein, and lactose in the studied colostrum were not significantly different. The content of butyric (С4:0) and capric (С10:0) acids was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the colostrum fat of cows infected with CNS compared to that of the uninfected animals. Conclusions: According to our research infection with coagulase-negative staphylococci negatively affects colostrum patameters primarily due to an increase in SCC, acidity and decrease in β-casein level. Moreover, significant decrease in total bacterial count in infected by CNS samples may be caused by a decrease in the level of beneficial microflora. Minor changes in fatty acid profile of fat in colostrum with CNS do not have a significant negative effect on colostrum as a whole. But in view of the fact that colostrum is intended for feeding a newborn with a "sterile" gastrointestinal tract, the presence of CNS will undoubtedly leads to a great threat to an immature organism.