CHANGES IN THE LACTOFERRIN CONCENTRATION IN THE BOVINE COLOSTRUM DURING POSTPARTUM PERIOD
Journal
Macedonian Veterinary Review
Date Issued
2022-09-11
Author(s)
Trajkovska, Biljana
Kochoski, Ljupche
Dimitrovska, Gordana
Badgujar, C., Prarabdh C
DOI
10.2478/macvetrev-2022-0026
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.
(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.
Subjects
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