Colostrum is a complex mixture of bioactives that promotes neonate growth. Studies show that it contains components capable of promoting bone formation and inhibiting bone resorption. Although many colostrum-based nutritional supplements have been developed as growth promotants, few studies have investigated their functional effects. A bovine colostrum 1-30 kDa fraction, Growth Protein-Colostrum (GP-C), was administered to juvenile rats as a dietary supplement to determine effects on growth and development. GP-C enhanced the growth and mineralization of the femur as evidenced by increased serum osteocalcin and bone mineral density. Increased levels of serum growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 suggest that the mechanism of enhanced growth is partially controlled by endocrine factors. GP-C was also found to increase osteoblast proliferation in vitro, a finding that indicates a possible mechanism of action of GP-C, but further studies are required. Based on our findings, we hypothesize that a colostrum-based dietary supplement enhances bone growth and development in humans.

Colostrum basic protein (CBP) (MW 1-30 kDa) were isolated from bovine colostrum using a series of ultrafiltration processes and their effects on osteoblast cell proliferation and bone metabolism were investigated in cell line and animal models. Treatment with CBP (1,10,100 µg/ml) does-dependently increased cell proliferation of osteoblastic MC3T3 cells. Alkaline phosphastase activity, a marker of osteoblased phenotype, in the cells was also increase after treatment with CBP in a does-dependent manner. Significant increases in bone density were observed in femur of ovariectomized rats which were fed a diet with 1% and 10% CBP, compared to rats fed a normal diet. These results suggest that CBP may increase bone mass and density and be useful for the prevention of bone-related diseases.