Factors influencing the quantity and quality of colostrum in the cow

Abstract

Logan, E.F., 1978, Factors influencing the quantity and q~ality of colostrum in the cow.Vet. Sci. Commun., 2: 39-46.It is well established that the survival of newborn calves is dependent on their absorbing adequate amounts of maternal immunoglobulin from colostrum.The level of immunity is influenced by the time of feeding after birth and the quantity and quality of the available colostrum.Several factors affect either the quantity or quality of colostrum.The yield of colostrum varies With breed but perhaps more significantly with age, heifers givingmuch less colostrumthan cows.Poor nutrition during winter months causes a marked drop in colostral quantity and often in the early spring a large number of suckler cows give insufficient colostrum ~ to protect their calves from disease.Colostral quality in terms of immunoglobulin concentrationis unaffected by yield but varies considerably between individual cows.Much of the present evidence is equivocal and there aremany subjects for further research.A detailed study should be carried out, particularly in beef cattle, to establish which breed has the highest yield of colostrum.More research should be directed to establish the minimum plane of nutrition necessary to maintain colostrum quantity and quality.

Factors affecting colostrum quality of ewes and immunostimulation

“…This quality decreases as time goes by after birth (7). It has been reported that dairy breeds produce more colostrum than beef breeds and this colostrum is richer in terms of immunoglobulin (4,16). Likewise, in adult ewes and cows, higher levels of colostrum and colostral immunoglobulins have been detected than in youngsters (4,17,18).…”

Basic Qualitative Parameters of Cow Colostrum and Their Dependence on Season and Post Partum Time

“…Their concentration is influenced by the age of dairy cows, breed (Kruse 1970), milking out and suckling colostrum prior to parturition (Logan 1978). The Ig level differs between animals (Messerli and Fey 1973) and is not influenced by the amount of colostrum produced (Logan 1977).…”