Antimicrobial factors in bovine colostrum

Abstract

Abstract. The study determined the content of certain antimicrobial proteins in the colostrum of five Ayrshire cows during the first 9 milkings and in milk 14 days from parturition. The following factors were analyzed: total whey protein (WP), total immunoglobulins (Ig), lactoferrin (LF), lactoperoxidase (LP), lysozyme (LZM). and Salmonella typhimurium antibody titer towards somatic (0 4 , 12 ) and flagellar (Hj.j.Hj) antigens.The content of all factors varied considerably in the first milking of the various cows, but the difference in content for all but LP and LZM decreased along with the number of milkings. The concentrations of WP, Ig and LF were at their highest in the first milking and dropped markedly in the following milkings. On the other hand, the LP concentration was on average greatest during the 3rd and 4th milkings, and the LZM concentration during the 7th and Bth milkings.The colostral whey from the first milking had the following concentrations on average:WP 69.2 mg/ml, Ig 52.0 mg/ml, LF 1.53 mg/ml, LP 22.8 //g/ml and LZM 0.40 /ig/ml. In the milk whey the concentrations were as follows: WP 12.2 mg/ml, Ig 0.95 mg/ml, LF 0.09 mg/ml, LP 20.1 /ig/ml and LZM 0.37 fig/ml. Agglutinating antibodies to a human pathogenic strain of S. typhimurium were found against both O and H antigens in the colostrum of all cows. One cow, which had been vaccinated with S. typhimurium before parturition, had significantly higher titers than the unvaccinated animals. The latter were found to have antibodies only in the first two or three milkings post partum while the vaccinated cow still had antibodies in the milk 14 days post partum. The results obtained permit the assumption that in addition to antibodies, the nonspecific antibacterial factors (LF, LP and LZM) may contribute to the antimicrobial activity of colostrum and thus enhance the resistance of a newborn calf to microbial infections during the first week of life.

Composition and properties of bovine colostrum: a review

“…Hahn et al (1998) reported that the concentration of LPO in colostrum is 13 to 30 mg.L −1 , compared to 11-45 mg.L −1 in milk. Korohnen (1977) observed that the concentration of LPO in colostrum is low initially but increases rapidly to reach a maximum after 3-5 days post-partum, followed by a slow decrease until a plateau is reached after about 2 weeks. Catalase activity is also higher in colostrum than in milk and decreases throughout lactation (Farkye 2002).…”

“…It should be noted that, in addition to stage of lactation, lactoferrin concentration is significantly correlated with SCC, level of BSA and volume of milk produced (Cheng et al 2008). Typically, the concentration of lactoferrin in colostrum ranges from 1.5 to 5 mg.mL −1 (Korohnen 1977;Hahn et al 1998).…”

Camel Milk: An Important Natural Adjuvant

“…Lysozyme activity of camel milk ranged from 0.03 to 0.65 mg/dl [73]. According to different researches, camel milk contains 228 and 500 lg 100 mL -1 of lysozyme [22,27] compared to 13 and 37 lg 100 mL -1 in cow milk [61]. The variations in the observed values were mainly due to the effect of lactation period.…”

Bioactive Compounds of Colostrum and Its Application

“…(4) The gene encoding lactoperoxidase is expressed in epithelial cells of the lactating mammary gland, indicating that these cells secrete lactoperoxidase into milk. (41) The deduced amino acid sequence of the bovine lactoperoxidase gene is homologous to human myelo-, thyro-, and eosinophil-peroxidases.…”