<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>The health condition of the mammary gland is highly crucial for obtaining good quality colostrum. The lactoferrin (LF), as an iron-binding protein, plays a key role in the defense mechanisms of the mammary gland due to its’ bacteriostatic properties. The study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the LF concentration in the bovine colostrum milk during the postpartum period, and the effect of somatic cell count (SCC) on the LF concentration and milk composition. The cows were randomly selected at a dairy farm in Pelagonia region. Colostrum samples from 12 cows were collected. Samples were taken at different time intervals after parturition, 1, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h after parturition. Cows in their second parity were found to have higher levels of LF compared to cows in the third and higher parity (p>0.05). Time had a significant effect on the LF concentration (p&lt;0.01), with the highest value recorded 1 h after parturition remaining stable for one hour. LF concentration and SCC in the colostrum showed a weak positive correlation (r=0.40; p&lt;0.01). The highest LF concentration was noticed when SCC was above 800,000 cells/mL. In conclusion, the colostrum LF concentration was significantly affected by the interactions of the two factors, i.e., time after parturition and SCC (p&lt;0.05). Milk composition was affected by elevated SCC. Parity showed no association with LF. The SCC can be used as a reliable means of assessing colostrum quality.</p>
</abstract>

The health condition of the mammary gland is highly crucial for obtaining good quality colostrum. The lactoferrin (LF), as an iron-binding protein, plays a key role in the defense mechanisms of the mammary gland due to its’ bacteriostatic properties. The study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the LF concentration in the bovine colostrum milk during the postpartum period, and the effect of somatic cell count (SCC) on the LF concentration and milk composition. The cows were randomly selected at a dairy farm in Pelagonia region. Colostrum samples from 12 cows were collected. Samples were taken at different time intervals after parturition, 1, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h after parturition. Cows in their second parity were found to have higher levels of LF compared to cows in the third and higher parity (p>0.05). Time had a significant effect on the LF concentration (p<0.01), with the highest value recorded 1 h after parturition remaining stable for one hour. LF concentration and SCC in the colostrum showed a weak positive correlation (r=0.40; p<0.01). The highest LF concentration was noticed when SCC was above 800,000 cells/mL. In conclusion, the colostrum LF concentration was significantly affected by the interactions of the two factors, i.e., time after parturition and SCC (p<0.05). Milk composition was affected by elevated SCC. Parity showed no association with LF. The SCC can be used as a reliable means of assessing colostrum quality.

Changes in the Lactoferrin Concentration in the Bovine Colostrum During Postpartum Period

Department of Food Science and Technology

Macedonian Veterinary Review

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The health condition of the mammary gland is highly crucial for obtaining good quality colostrum. The lactoferrin (LF), as an iron-binding protein, plays a key...

Changes in the Lactoferrin Concentration in the Bovine Colostrum During Postpartum Period

Pubblicato online: 23 nov 2022

Pagine: 177 - 185

Ricevuto: 18 mar 2022

Accettato: 03 giu 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/macvetrev-2022-0026

Parole chiave
lactoferrin, somatic cell counts, colostrum, postpartum, cow milk

© 2022 Biljana Trajkovska et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Changes in the Lactoferrin Concentration in the Bovine Colostrum During Postpartum Period

Pubblicato online: 23 nov 2022

Pagine: 177 - 185

Ricevuto: 18 mar 2022

Accettato: 03 giu 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/macvetrev-2022-0026

Parole chiavelactoferrin, somatic cell counts, colostrum, postpartum, cow milk

© 2022 Biljana Trajkovska et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Parole chiave
lactoferrin, somatic cell counts, colostrum, postpartum, cow milk