Short communication: The biological value of transition milk: analyses of immunoglobulin G, IGF-I and lactoferrin in primiparous and multiparous dairy cows

Colostrum (the first mammary gland secretion after calving) is known to contain high concentrations of nutrients as well as bioactive substances (including immunoglobulins, growth factors, and antimicrobial factors) to ensure neonatal survival. Due to its immunomodulatory, antibacterial, and antiviral activities, bovine colostrum has been used not only in calves but also in the prevention and treatment of human gastrointestinal and respiratory infections. Transition milk is the mammary secretion from the second milking to the sixth, which may contain these bioactive compounds to a lesser extent. The objective of the present study was to measure IGF-I, immunoglobulin G (IgG), and lactoferrin (LTF) concentrations in colostrum and transition milk of primiparous and multiparous cows to further assess its potential use in veterinary and nutraceutical applications. The results demonstrated that the concentrations of the -se three bioactive molecules decrease from the first milking to the tenth. Concentrations of IGF-I and LTF were greater in multiparous than in primiparous cows. Also, lactation number interacted with milking number in IGF-I, since primiparous cows had a smoother decline of IGF-I concentrations than multi-parous ones. Overall, transition milk from the second milking showed a 46% decrease in the analysed colostrum bioactive molecules. Therefore, further studies are needed to apply this knowledge in neonate farm management practices or in developing pharmaceutical supplements from farm surpluses.& COPY; 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of The Animal Consortium.This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Automated summary

Colostrum, the first milk, is crucial for neonatal survival due to its high nutrient concentrations and bioactive substances. This study aimed to measure the concentrations of IGF-I, IgG, and LTF in colostrum and transition milk and assess their potential use in veterinary and nutraceutical applications. The results showed a decrease in the concentrations of these bioactive molecules from the first milking to the tenth, with greater concentrations observed in multiparous cows. Transition milk exhibited a 46% decrease in the analyzed bioactive molecules. Further research is needed to apply this knowledge in neonate farm management or pharmaceutical supplements.