Variation of lactoferrin and lactoperoxidase in bovine milk and the impact of level of pasture intake

Abstract

Lactoferrin (Lf) and lactoperoxidase (LP) are milk proteins with antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities. This study examined the effect of pasture allowance on the production of Lf and activity of LP, as well as the variation in the concentration of Lf and activity of LP in the milk of lactating dairy cows during late lactation. Following a 2-week period where a herd of 20 cows was grazed solely on pasture, two different nutritional regimes were imposed upon the cows. For 4 weeks, 10 cows grazed ad libitum while the other 10 grazed a restricted amount of pasture. Milk samples were collected twice weekly throughout the experiment and were analysed for Lf concentration and LP activity, as well as for pH and concentrations of total solids, fat, protein, casein, lactose and somatic cells. Cows that had ad libitum access to pasture had higher milk yields, and higher concentrations of crude protein, true protein and casein and higher yields of fat, protein and lactose than those that had a restricted pasture allowance. While there was no difference in the concentration of Lf in the milk between the two herds, cows that had ad libitum access to pasture produced significantly greater yields of Lf than those that were restricted (1.45 versus 1.23 g day -1; P < 0.05). LP activity was greater in the milk of cows that had ad libitum access to pasture (6.9 versus 6.1 ; P < 0.01). Results for all milk components measured indicated that the variation between cows was much greater than the variation within cows. The quantification of these sources of variation will enhance the design of future experiments that examine the concentrations of Lf and the activity of LP in milk. They also provide information about the extent to which on-farm management could be used to manipulate Lf concentration and LP activity in milk.

Differences in bioactive protein and vitamin status of milk from certified organic and conventional farms

“…On the other hand, Turner et al . () found that ad libitum access to pasture did not increase the lactoferrin concentration in milk. This was confirmed by Kuczyńska et al .…”

Effect of production season on protein fraction content in milk of various breeds of goats in Poland

“…Turner et al . (), analysing the lactoferrin content of the milk of cows using a pasture to various degrees, found a significantly ( P < 0.05) higher yield of this protein (in g per day) in the milk of cows having unrestricted access to pasture ( ad libitum ). It can be assumed that the bioactive compounds contained in green forages, which have immunomodulatory properties, have an indirect effect on lactoferrin levels.…”

Effect of the diets with pumpkin silage and synthetic β‐carotene on the carotenoid, immunoglobulin and bioactive protein content and fatty acid composition of colostrum

“…The lactoferrin content of bovine colostrum is higher than in mature milk and constitutes an important element of innate immunity (Indyk & Filonzi, 2005). Its content in milk is determined largely genetically (Gajda-Morszewski & Śpiewak, 2015; Król et al, 2012;Turner, Thomson, & Auldist, 2007). Research also shows the effect of dietary factors on milk lactoferrin content (Król et al, 2012;Turner et al, 2003;Wielgosz, Sobczuk-Szul, Wroński, & Rzemieniewski, 2009).…”