CHANGES IN THE LACTOFERRIN CONCENTRATION AT DRYING OFF PERIOD

Abstract

In the lactation cycle of dairy cows, the dry off is a critical period of rest for the udder, in order to optimize milk production in the next lactation. Lactoferrin (LF) is an iron-binding protein normally excreted in cow’s milk and it is one of the natural protective factors having the ability to inhibit the growth of mastitis-causing pathogens. The objective of this research was to determine whether LF concentration in the milk is increased at drying off period. Quarter milk samples (n=40) from clinically healthy Holstein-Friesian cows were taken. Milk samples were collected one week prior to dry off and on the day of dry off. The milk samples were analyzed for physicochemical properties, somatic cells (SCC) and concentrations of lactoferrin. The mean LF concentration in the milk was found to increase significantly (p<0,05) from 2.977,28 μg/mL, one week prior to dry off to 4.529,07 μg/mL on the day of drying off process.