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High concentrations of immunoglobulins, bioactive peptides, and growth factors are found in bovine colostrum (BC), the milk produced by cows in the first few days after parturition. Various biological functions make it increasingly used to provide nutritional support and immune protection to the offspring of many species, including humans. These biological functions include cell growth stimulation, anti-infection, and immunomodulation. The primary components and biological functions of colostrum were reviewed in the literature, and the authors also looked at its latent effects on the growth and development of neonates as well as on conditions such as infections, necrotizing enterocolitis, short bowel syndrome, and feeding intolerance. The importance of BC in neonatal nutrition, immune support, growth and development, and gut health has been demonstrated in a number of experimental and animal studies. BC has also been shown to be safe at low doses without adverse effects in newborns. BC supplementation has been shown to be efficient in preventing several disorders, including rotavirus diarrhea, necrotizing enterocolitis, and sepsis in animal models of prematurity and some newborn studies. Therefore, BC supplementation should be considered in cases where maternal milk is insufficient or donor milk is unavailable. The optimal age, timing, dosage, and form of BC administration still require further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bovine colostrum (BC) with liposomal delivery system (LDS) is a promising supplement to premature infant formula in absence of mother own milk. We propose that BC with LDS can target multiple etiological factors that threaten the developing retina, making premature infant less liable for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of BC with LDS in the prevention of ROP. Methods: This was a single center, randomized, controlled trial. Two hundred and eleven preterm infants of gestational age ≤ 32weeks were admitted to the NICU of Alexandria University Children Hospital, Egypt, and randomly allocated into either non-BC group (n = 105) or BC group (n = 106). Patients in BC group received 3.5 ml /kg/day of BC for 14 days. All patients were monitored for development of ROP, anemia, late onset sepsis (LOS), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), in addition to growth assessment. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors predicting ROP development. Results: Compared with the non-BC group, BC group was associated with a significantly lower incidence of ROP (5/100 vs. 16/100, respectively) with a p-value of 0.033. The administration of BC significantly decreased serum C- reactive protein (CRP) level and increased weight on day-14 of the study in comparison with the CRP level and birthweight at the beginning of study, with Cohen's D= -0.184, D = -2.246, respectively. Patients with suspected sepsis were significantly less in BC than non-BC group, p = 0.004. Patients with BC had significantly higher hemoglobin level on day-14 than non-BC-group, with median (IQR) 12.2 (11.0–13.9) and 11.7 (10.5–12.9), respectively. BC intake is one of factors that decreased development of ROP in univariate analysis. Nevertheless, weight gain and birth weight were the most significant factors affecting ROP development in multivariate-regression model. Conclusion: BC may reduce the incidence of ROP in preterm neonates aged ≤ 32 weeks. This might be due to keeping better Hb level and growth rate, as well as anti-inflammatory properties through its ability to decrease CRP level. Trial registration: This work was registered on 06/13/2022 in clinicaltrial.gov with ID no.: NCT05438680 and URL:https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05438680?term=NCT05438680&draw=2&rank=1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) may play a role in mammary gland development, milk production and secretion in mammals. Due to the limited number of scientific reports on the expression of HIF genes in colostrum cells, it was decided to examine the expression of HIF1A, HIF3A and EPAS1 in the these cells, collected from 35 patients who voluntarily agreed to provide their biological material for research, were informed about the purpose of the study and signed a consent to participate in it. The expression of HIF genes was assessed using qPCR. Additionally, the influence of clinical parameters (method of delivery, occurrence of stillbirths in previous pregnancies, BMI level before pregnancy and at the moment of delivery, presence of hypertension during pregnancy, presence of Escherichia coli in vaginal culture, iron supplement and heparin intake during pregnancy) on the gene expression was assessed, revealing statistically significant correlations. The expression of HIF1A was 3.5-fold higher in the case of patients with the presence of E. coli in vaginal culture (p = 0.041) and 2.5 times higher (p = 0.031) in samples from women who used heparin during pregnancy. Approximately 1.7-fold higher expression of the EPAS1 was observed in women who did not supplement iron during pregnancy (p = 0.046). To our knowledge, these are the first studies showing the relationship between HIF expression in cells from breast milk and the method of delivery and health condition of women giving birth. The assessment of HIF expression requires deeper examination in a larger study group, and the results of further studies will allow to determine whether HIF can become biomarkers in pregnancy pathology states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine mastitis is an infectious disease that causes substantial economic losses to the dairy industry worldwide. Current antibiotic therapy faces issues of antibiotic misuse and antimicrobial resistance, which has aroused concerns for both veterinary and human medicine. Thus, this study explored the potential of Colo EVs (bovine colostrum-derived extracellular vesicles) to address mastitis. Using LPS-induced murine mammary epithelial cells (HC11), mouse monocyte macrophages (RAW 264.7), and a murine mastitis model with BALB/C mice, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of Colo EVs, in vivo and in vitro. Colo EVs had favorable biosafety profiles, promoting cell proliferation and migration without inducing pathological changes after injection into murine mammary glands. In LPS-induced murine mastitis, Colo EVs significantly reduced inflammation, improved inflammatory scores, and preserved tight junction proteins while protecting milk production. Additionally, in vitro experiments demonstrated that Colo EVs downregulated inflammatory cytokine expression, reduced inflammatory markers, and attenuated NF-κB pathway activation. In summary, we inferred that Colo EVs have promise as a therapeutic approach for mastitis treatment, owing to their anti-inflammatory properties, potentially mediated through the NF-κB signaling pathway modulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigates the safety evaluation of enterocin-producing 11 E. mundtii and two E. faecium strains previously isolated from small livestock colostrums. Enterococcus species do not possess Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status. Hence, it is critical to scrutinize enterococci's antibiotic resistance, virulence characteristics, and biogenic amine production capabilities in order to assess their safety before using them as starter or adjunct cultures. Results: Enterococcus strains showed susceptibility to medically significant antibiotics. Multiple-drug resistance (MDR) was found in only E. faecium HC121.4, and its multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index was detected to be 0.22. The tetL and aph(3')-IIIa were the most commonly found antibiotic resistance genes in the strains. However, E. mundtii strains HC56.3, HC73.1, HC147.1, and E. faecium strain HC121.4 were detected to lack any of the antibiotic resistance genes examined in this study. Only E. mundtii HC166.3 showed hemolytic activity, while none of the strains engage in gelatinase activity. The strains were identified to have virulence factor genes with a low rate. None of the virulence factor genes could be detected in E. mundtii HC26.1, HC56.3, HC73.1, HC165.3, HC166.8, and E. faecium HC121.4. The E. mundtii HC73.2 strain displayed the highest presence of virulence factor genes, namely gelE, efaAfs, cpd, and ccf. Similarly, the E. mundtii HC112.1 strain showed a significant presence of genes efaAfm, ccf, and acm. There was no decarboxylation of histidine, ornithine, or lysine seen in any of the strains. Nevertheless, E. faecium HC121.4 and HC161.1 strains could decarboxylate tyrosine, but E. mundtii HC26.1, HC56.3, HC73.1, HC73.2, HC112.1, HC147.1, HC155.2, HC165.3, HC166.3, HC166.5, and HC166.8 strains only showed a limited capacity for tyrosine decarboxylation. None of the strains possessed the hdc, odc, or ldc genes, but all of them had the tdc gene. Conclusion: The E. mundtii HC56.3 and HC73.1 strains were deemed appropriate for utilization in food production. Using the remaining 11 strains as live cultures in food production activities could pose a possible risk to consumer health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The colostrum and milk of sows may contain substances that could be used to evaluate immunity and welfare in pigs. This study aimed to quantify in these fluids four analytes associated with immunity: total adenosine deaminase (tADA) and its isoenzymes, myeloperoxidase (Mpx), calprotectin (S100A8/A9) and calgranulin (S100A12) and two analytes which are linked to welfare: alpha-amylase and cortisol. In addition, it aimed to evaluate how these analytes change during lactation and how they relate to each other and to immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA). All the assays tested were able to quantify the analytes in a precise and accurate way. In addition, the analytes showed different dynamics through lactation, with adenosine deaminase being more concentrated in colostrum than in milk, while myeloperoxidase was more active in mature milk than in colostrum. Alpha-amylase was correlated with both IgG and IgA and S100A8/A9 was correlated with S100A12 and Mpx. Overall, the immune system and welfare analytes of this study can be measured in sow colostrum and milk samples and could have a potential use as biomarkers in these fluids. Colostrum is a mammary secretion released from the time of farrowing to 36 h post-farrowing. After this time and during all the rest of lactation, the mammary secretion is considered milk. The objectives of this study were: (1) to perform an analytical validation in the colostrum and milk of sows of assays for four analytes related to immunity: total ADA (tADA) and its isoenzymes (ADA1 and ADA2), myeloperoxidase (Mpx), calprotectin, and calgranulin, and two analytes related to welfare: cortisol and alpha-amylase. (2) To evaluate the changes in these analytes during lactation (3) To assess the correlations between these new analytes, as well as with IgG and IgA. In the analytical validation, all the assays were precise and accurate. When changes during lactation were evaluated, the concentration of tADA and ADA2 was found to be higher in colostrum than in milk (p < 0.02), while the activity of Mpx was observed to be higher in mature milk than in colostrum (p < 0.03). Furthermore, cortisol and alpha-amylase activity were found to be higher in colostrum compared to mature milk (p < 0.04 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Regarding the relation between analytes, alpha-amylase showed a significant correlation with both IgG and IgA and calprotectin was correlated with calgranulin and Mpx. Further studies should be performed to elucidate the possible practical application of the analytes evaluated in this study as biomarkers of colostrum and milk in sows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective In this study, our aim was to explore the knowledge and practice of breastfeeding and colostrum among Moroccan women. Material and methods this is a cross-sectional study. Data was collected from a sample of 100 Moroccan women through a 16-question questionnaire. Results and discussion The results revealed that a significant portion (74%) of the sample, had already made the decision to breastfeed before their pregnancies. Additionally, an overwhelming majority, 98% of the participants, fed their newborns with colostrum, reflecting a widespread acceptance and understanding of its importance with only a small minority opting for alternative feeding methods. Conclusion To promote better breastfeeding practices, it is crucial to address the knowledge gaps through targeted educational interventions that emphasize the importance of colostrum and provide accurate information particularly among women and expectant mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Newborn calves rely on consuming the first milk, colostrum, to transfer important proteins and cells for protection from pathogens. Lymphocytes compose a fraction of the cells transferred through the colostrum to the calf, known as T and B cells. In cattle, a subset of B cells possess a unique receptor with an ultralong protein insert, known as ultralong complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3), which may be crucial in neutralizing viruses. This study found that colostrum had a significantly higher percentage of B cells with ultralong CDR3s than B cells from the blood. This finding may indicate an important role and selective transfer of B cells in colostrum with an ultralong CDR3. In cattle, colostral maternal immunoglobulins and lymphocytes transfer across the neonate's intestinal epithelium to provide protection against pathogens. This study aimed to compare repertoires of B cell populations in blood and colostrum in cows for the first time, with an emphasis on ultralong complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3, ≥40 amino acids). Blood mononuclear cells (BMCs, n= 7) and colostral cells (n = 7) were isolated from Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. Magnetic-activated cell sorting was used to capture IgM and IgG B cells from BMCs. Colostral cells were harvested by centrifugation. RNA was extracted and cDNA was produced; IgM and IgG transcripts were amplified using polymerase chain reactions. Amplicons were sequenced using the Nanopore Native barcoding kit 24 V14 and MinION with R10.4 flow cells. In colostrum, there was a significantly greater percentage of IgM B cells with ultralong CDR3s (8.09% ± 1.73 standard error of the mean) compared to blood (4.22% ± 0.70, p = 0.05). There was a significantly greater percentage of IgG B cells in colostrum with ultralong CDR3s (12.98% ± 1.98) compared to blood (6.61% ± 1.11, p = 0.05). A higher percentage of IgM and IgG B cells with ultralong CDR3s in colostrum may be indicative of a potential role in protecting the neonate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. In March 2023, the European Food Safety Authority published a Scientific Opinion on Calf Welfare. This opinion was prepared in response to a request from the European Commission to provide an independent view on the welfare of calves that reflected the most recent scientific knowledge. Data sources used to develop their recommendations included peer-reviewed studies, expert knowledge, and gray literature. The opinion considered specific scenarios and welfare consequences of specific management practices, including feeding fiber to calves raised for white veal and amount of cow-calf contact. The opinion suggested that calves should be fed specific quantities of forage NDF during the rearing cycle. Regarding separation of calves, the committee recommended that the calf should remain with the cow for a minimum of 24 h and then be housed with another calf. The committee further suggested that prolonged cow-calf contact should increasingly be implemented, due to benefits to both cow and calf to minimize stress of separation. The objective of this review is to assess the veracity of these recommendations and the scientific data that underpins them. This review will present literature to support the contention that, from a nutritional and management perspective, these recommendations may impair calf welfare by exposing calves to innutritious rations containing excess fiber and increasing their risk of morbidity and mortality due to poor colostrum intake and exposure to disease-causing pathogens. Alternative recommendations are made that may further the goal of calf welfare in the context of nutrition and housing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate how the cumulative expulsion interval, litter size, and birth order influence the characteristics of newborn piglets from hyperprolific sows, as well as their intake of colostrum. Analysis was conducted on the temporal aspects of parturition in 254 sows, including 3920 piglets. Newborn piglet characteristics examined encompassed delivery time, birth order, birth status, umbilical cord rupture, meconium staining, delivery ease, birth weight, blood oxygen saturation, and heart rate. From the raw data, colostrum intake, birth interval, and cumulative birth interval of each piglet were computed. Piglets were sorted based on the cumulative expulsion interval into nine categories: 0–30, 31–60, 61–90, 91–120, 121–150, 151–180, 181–210, 211–240, and >240 min. Litter sizes were categorized into three groups: 10–13, 14–17, and ≥18 piglets per litter. The birth-order ranking referred to the piglet's position within a litter and was categorized into four quartiles: 1, 2, 3, and 4. On average, the expulsion interval, cumulative expulsion interval, and colostrum consumption were 14.8 ± 21.8 min, 138.6 ± 155.7 min, and 407.6 ± 162.1 g, respectively. In litters with ≥18 piglets, the percentage of piglets with inadequate colostrum intake (<300 g) was higher compared to litters with 10–13 piglets (33.1 % vs. 12.9 %, P < 0.001) and 14–17 piglets (23.9 %, P < 0.001). The occurrence of stillbirths in the fourth quartile of the litter was higher than in the first (16.0 % vs. 2.2 %, P < 0.001), second (4.0 %, P < 0.001), and third (7.8 %, P < 0.001) quartiles. Among litters with ≥18 piglets, those born in the third quartile exhibited lower colostrum consumption compared to those born in the first quartile (346.0 ± 9.9 vs. 391.4 ± 8.6 g, P = 0.028). Colostrum intake decreased with longer cumulative expulsion intervals, evident from a notable decline starting at 90 min post-farrowing compared to piglets born within the first 30 min (P = 0.004). Interestingly, colostrum consumption exhibited a negative correlation with the cumulative expulsion interval (P < 0.001), but not with individual piglet expulsion intervals (P = 0.460). Piglets born with meconium staining were most prevalent among those with a cumulative expulsion interval of >240 min. In summary, both the cumulative expulsion interval and birth-order ranking significantly impact the physiological characteristics of newborn piglets and their colostrum intake. Colostrum consumption decreases and newborn piglet characteristics change with higher cumulative expulsion intervals. Identifying piglets at high risk of hypoxia and implementing appropriate treatments and management strategies within an optimal timeframe could aid pig producers in reducing pre-weaning mortality among piglets born to hyperprolific sows. • The analysis was conducted on the parturition timing of 3920 piglets. • Colostrum intake decreased with longer cumulative expulsion intervals. • Meconium staining was most prevalent in piglets with expulsion intervals of >240 min. • Birth assistance in litters of ≥18 piglets was lower than in smaller litters. • The incidence of umbilical rupture in the fourth quartile was higher than in the first. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Premature infants have higher risks of infection due to their underdeveloped immune systems and changes to the oral cavity's normal flora colonization. Purpose: To assess the effect of oral colostrum application on the condition of the mouth and the incidence of late-onset sepsis (LOS) among premature infants. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 70 newborn premature infants were randomly allocated to colostrum or sterile water groups. The Mouth Care Assessment Tool was used to evaluate the condition of the mouth for 5 days after oral colostrum application. The incidence of LOS was measured using clinical and laboratory indicators from 72 hours after birth until discharge. Results: The condition of the mouth was significantly different on days 4 and 5, demonstrating that the colostrum group had less need for oral care (P < .001) compared to the control group. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in clinical symptoms and laboratory values related to LOS (P > .05). Implications for practice: Oral colostrum application can benefit oral mucosal health and reduce the need for oral care among premature infants. It is also safe alternative oral care for premature infants who cannot breastfeed during the first few days of life. Future research should include infants of different gestational ages and mechanically ventilated infants to assess the effect of oral colostrum application on serum immune factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endotracheal suctioning (ES) is a painful procedure frequently performed in the neonatal intensive care unit. This procedure negatively affects the comfort level of premature neonates. Purpose: To determine the effect of 2 nonpharmacologic methods, swaddling and the administration of oropharyngeal colostrum, on the pain and comfort levels of preterm neonates during ES. Methods: This randomized controlled experimental study comprised 48 intubated premature neonates (swaddling group n = 16; oropharyngeal colostrum group n = 16; and control group n = 16) at 26 to 37 weeks of gestation. The neonates were swaddled with a white soft cotton cloth or administered 0.4 mL of oropharyngeal colostrum 2 minutes before ES, according to the group in which they were included. Two observers evaluated the pain levels (Premature Infant Pain Profile-Revize [PIPP-R]) and comfort (Newborn Comfort Behavior Scale [COMFORTneo]) of the infants by observing video recordings of before, during, and after the procedure. Findings/Results: A significantly lower mean PIPP-R score was found in the swaddling group during ES compared with the control group (P = .002). The mean COMFORTneo scores of the swaddling and oropharyngeal colostrum groups during ES (P < .01, P = .002) and the mean PIPP-R and COMFORTneo scores immediately after ES and 5, 10, and 15 minutes later were significantly lower than the control group (P < .005). Implications for Practice and Research: Swaddling was effective both during and after the procedure, while oropharyngeal colostrum was effective only after the procedure in reducing ES-related pain in premature neonates. Swaddling and oropharyngeal colostrum were effective in increasing comfort both during and after the procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium (Se) is an essential nutrient that has gained attention for its impact on the human immune system. The purpose of this review is to explore Se's immunomodulatory properties and to make up-to-date information available so novel therapeutic applications may emerge. People acquire Se through dietary ingestion, supplementation, or nanoparticle applications. These forms of Se can beneficially modulate the immune system by enhancing antioxidant activity, optimizing the innate immune response, improving the adaptive immune response, and promoting healthy gut microbiota. Because of these many actions, Se supplementation can help prevent and treat pathogenic diseases, autoimmune diseases, and cancers. This review will discuss Se as a key micronutrient with versatile applications that supports disease management due to its beneficial immunomodulatory effects. Further research is warranted to determine safe dosing guidelines to avoid toxicity and refine the application of Se in medical treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The benefits of breastfeeding are well recognized. However, exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates are well below the Healthy People 2030 Guidelines, with a rapid drop in exclusive breastfeeding over the first 3 months of life. Although breastfeeding support has increased the initiation of breastfeeding, the role of perinatal interventions, particularly in the context of breastfeeding support, remains a topic of contradiction. Methods: This observational study was designed to assess the impact of a unique prenatal educational intervention in rural East Texas. The study had two aims: (1) to determine whether the addition of prenatal breastfeeding education increased the rate of exclusive breastfeeding at four time points, and (2) to assess the impact of hand expression education on breastfeeding exclusivity. Results: Differences in breastfeeding behaviors were seen between those who received the education and those who did not for exclusivity and duration of breastfeeding. Participants who received the hand expression education were 1.79 times more likely to continue EBF practices at three months postpartum, 6.27 times more likely to continue EBF practices at six months postpartum, and 3.34 times more likely to continue breastfeeding at twelve months postpartum than those who did not receive any hand expression education. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that prenatal education is beneficial for increasing breastfeeding exclusivity and duration and underscores its potential to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. Further research is needed to resolve the ongoing debate and advance our understanding of interventions to increase breastfeeding duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prolificacy of sows (litter size at birth) has markedly increased, leading to higher post-natal mortality. Heat stress can exacerbate this issue. Arginine plays an important role in several physiological pathways; its effect on gestating sows can depend on the period of supplementation. This study evaluated the effects of arginine supplementation on the productive performance and physiological status of sows during different gestation periods and seasons, using a multi-omics approach. Methods: A total of 320 sows were divided into 4 groups over 2 seasons (warm/cold); a control group (CO) received a standard diet (including 16.5 g/d of arginine) and 3 other groups received the standard diet supplemented with 21.8 g/d of arginine (38.3 g/d of arginine) either during the first 35 d (Early35), the last 45 d (Late45) or throughout the entire gestation period (COM). The colostrum was analyzed for nutritional composition, immunoglobulins and metabolomic profile. Urine and feces were analyzed on d 35 and 106 for the metabolomic and microbial profiles. Piglet body weight and mortality were recorded at birth, d 6, d 26, and on d 14 post-weaning. Results: Interactions between arginine and season were never significant. The Early35 group had a lower percentage of stillborn (P < 0.001), mummified (P = 0.002) and low birthweight (LBW) piglets (P = 0.02) than the CO group. The Late45 group had a lower percentage of stillborn piglets (P = 0.029) and a higher percentage of high birthweight piglets (HBW; P < 0.001) than the CO group. The COM group had a higher percentage of LBW (P = 0.004) and crushed piglets (P < 0.001) than the CO group. Arginine supplementation modifies the metabolome characterization of colostrum, urine, and feces. Creatine and nitric oxide pathways, as well as metabolites related to microbial activity, were influenced in all matrices. A slight trend in the beta diversity index was observed in the microbiome profile on d 35 (P = 0.064). Conclusions: Arginine supplementation during early gestation reduced the percentage of stillborn and LBW piglets, while in the last third of pregnancy, it favored the percentage of HBW pigs and reduced the percentage of stillbirths, showing that arginine plays a significant role in the physiology of pregnant sows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The peripartum period constitutes a delicate physiological moment in mares showing a transient state of oxidative stress. Diet supplementation with antioxidants during pregnancy in women appears to have a beneficial effect on mother and neonate health. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of diet supplementation with a commercial product containing a mix of antioxidants (Oxyliver®, Candioli) on the length of gestation, weight, and haemato-biochemical parameters in Italian Salernitano mares and their newborn foals. Eight late-term pregnant mares were randomly divided into two groups: Antiox group receiving 30 g/day of antioxidants, and Car group receiving the same amount of carrot powder, from 290 to 320 days of gestation. The following parameters were evaluated in mares: weight, colostrum composition, haemato-biochemical parameters, progesterone, and cortisol blood concentrations, along with blood oxidant/antioxidant status. Assessments were conducted at specific time points: immediately before the start of diet supplementation (T0), 15 days after (T1), at the end of diet supplementation (T2), within 8 h after parturition (T3), and 10 days post-partum (T4). Foal parameters such as weight, haemato-biochemical values, cortisol concentration, and blood oxidative stress variables were assessed within 8 h of birth (TF0) and at 10 days of age (TF1). Results: Pregnancy was shorter in the Antiox group (P < 0.05) compared with the Car group; the foals' weight increase of group Antiox (40%) was higher (P < 0.05) compared to those of the Car group (28.6%). The colostrum of the Antiox group exhibited higher levels of Brix, total solids, protein, nonfat solids, casein, urea, density, free fatty acids, and glucose, while lower levels of fat and lactose were observed compared to the Car group (P < 0.05). Mares' serum albumin at T1 and T3, creatinine, glucose, total proteins, total bilirubin, AST, and ALT at T3 were lower in Antiox than in the Car group. No significant differences were found in foals. Conclusions: While the limited sample size and the potential variability of evaluated parameters, the observed outcomes suggest that Oxyliver® supplementation in mares might safely decrease gestation length and enhance liver function, thus potentially improving colostrum quality and offspring development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the similarities and differences in milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) proteins from porcine colostrum (PC) and human colostrum (HC) based on a label‐free proteomics approach. In total, 3901 and 4027 MFGM proteins were identified in PC and HC, respectively, including 3452 common proteins. Similar biological functions and pathways were found in two groups, whereas the quantities and types of MFGM proteins involved were different. This study compared the differences between MFGM proteins in PC and HC, effectively expanding the MFGM proteome and its bioinformatic database and providing new insights for the exploration of porcine milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) is a highly contagious disease caused by Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV), resulting in a mortality rate of suckling piglets as high as 100%. Vaccination is the primary strategy for controlling PEDV infection, however, there is currently a lack of reliable methods for assessing the efficacy of vaccination. This study aimed to analyze serum and colostrum samples from 75 parturient sows with a specific vaccination strategy to measure levels of IgG, IgA, and neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) against PEDV, and to investigate the correlation between serum and colostrum antibody levels, as well as to identify potential biomarkers that can be used to evaluate immunization effects under field conditions. Results: The findings of correlation analysis between antibody levels of IgA, IgG, and nAbs in serum or colostrum samples revealed that IgG demonstrated the most robust correlation with nAbs exhibiting a correlation coefficient of 0.64 in serum samples. Conversely, IgA exhibited the highest correlation with nAbs, with a correlation coefficient of 0.47 in colostrum samples. Additionally, the correlation analysis of antibody levels between serum and colostrum samples indicated that serum IgA displayed the strongest correlation with colostrum IgA, with a coefficient of 0.63, indicating that serum IgA may serve as a viable alternative indicator for evaluating IgA levels in colostrum samples. To further evaluate the suitability of serum IgA as a substitute marker for colostrum IgA, levels of IgA antibodies in serum samples from sows were examined both pre- and post-parturition. The findings indicated that serum IgA levels were initially low prior to the initial immunization, experienced a notable rise 21 days after immunization, and maintained a significant elevation compared to pre-immunization levels from 21 days pre-parturition to 14 days postpartum, spanning a total of 35 days. Conclusions: Serum anti-PEDV IgA antibody levels may serve as a valuable predictor for immunization effects, allowing for the assessment of colostrum IgA antibody levels up to 21 days in advance. This insight could enable veterinarians to timely adjust or optimize immunization strategies prior to parturition, thereby ensuring adequate passive immunity is conferred to piglets through colostral transfer postpartum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the relevancy between diet and colostrum nutrition in pregnant women in the second and third trimesters. Methods A total of 378 pregnant women who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were registered in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University from Jun 2022 to Apr 2023 were included in the study by continuous sampling method. General information, diet in the second trimester, diet in the third trimester and colostrum data 48-72 h after delivery were collected. The relevancy between daily dietary nutrient intake and colostrum quality in pregnant women during the second and third trimesters was analyzed. Results All of the 378 subjects met the colostrum collecting criteria. We found that dietary fat intake during the second trimester was positively correlated with colostrum quality (OR=2.408, 95%CI: 1.086-5.338), and energy was negatively correlated with colostrum quality (OR=0.319, 95%CI：0.157-0.651). Dietary protein intake in the third trimester was positively correlated with colostrum quality (OR=5.905, 95%CI: 1.757-19.842). Conclusion There is a certain relevancy between diet and colostrum nutrition. A reasonable diet during pregnancy is recommended to promote the quality of colostrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, poses a significant threat to sheep flocks, affecting reproductive performance and meat quality, and leading to economic losses. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies in the serum and colostrum of naturally infected ewes and to assess passive immunity in newborn lambs. Blood and colostrum samples were collected from 162 ewes and 182 lambs across 20 sheep farms in Paraíba, Brazil. Samples were tested for anti-T. gondii and anti-Neospora caninum IgG using indirect fluorescence antibody tests (IFATs), with titers ≥ 1:64 considered positive. Among the ewes, 45.1% tested positive for anti-T. gondii IgG in serum, with titers ranging from 1:64 to 1:16,384. The colostrum from 94.6% of the ewes also tested positive, although 74% had higher titers in their serum than in their colostrum. Concordance between serum and colostrum was high, with a kappa coefficient of 0.950. Lamb serum showed a perfect agreement with maternal colostrum (kappa = 0.962), demonstrating effective passive transfer of antibodies. This study confirms that colostrum is a reliable matrix for detecting anti-T. gondii antibodies and assessing passive immunity in lambs. The high concordance between serum, colostrum, and lamb titers suggests that IFATs on colostrum can be a practical tool for monitoring maternal antibody transfer, contributing to the better management of T. gondii infections in sheep flocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In goat kids, choosing the appropriate age to administer the first dose of goat pox disease (GTP) vaccine requires knowing when maternal antibody decline concentrations. Objective: Determine the persistence of maternal antibodies against goat pox virus (GTPV) in goat kids. Animals: Twenty Saanen goat kids from birth to 120 days old. Methods: In 2 groups, including: control (receiving colostrum from nonvaccinated does) and treatment (receiving colostrum from vaccinated does). On zero, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56, 70, 100 and 120 days after the birth, virus neutralization test was used to measure the serum concentration of antibodies against GTPV. Results: At the age of 56 days, the first seronegative goat kids (n = 2) were recorded in the treatment group. At the age of 120 days, all the goat kids in the treatment group were seronegative. The average virus neutralization index (VNI) of the goat kids became negative at the age of 100 to 120 days. All goat kids in the control group were negative at all times. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: One hundred to 120 days of the age seems to be the time to administer the first GTP vaccine in the goat kids with passive immunity against goat pox. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: To ensure adequate immune protection, foals are dependent on a sufficient intake of good quality colostrum shortly after birth. In this study we analyzed whether a supplemented Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) to mares in late gestation alters the biological activity of their colostrum and whether the uptake of such a colostrum affects the immediate response to vaccination at the age of 5 to 8 months. Twenty-six pregnant mares were randomly assigned to receive either a supplement or no supplementation twelve weeks before the calculated date of birth. Mares were actively vaccinated three weeks before parturition with a commercial influenza and tetanus vaccine. Their foals were actively vaccinated against equine influenza and tetanus after weaning. Blood cell composition was determined directly before vaccination and 24 h later. The biological activity of colostrum samples was assessed in a cell viability assay with an intestinal epithelial cell line. Colostrum from SCFP-fed mares exhibited significantly higher growth-promoting activity compared to control mares. While SCFP feeding did not affect the early vaccination response of mares, the biological activity of colostrum had a significant effect on vaccine-induced changes in blood composition of weanling foals. Therefore, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product supplement may improve the biological activity of colostrum, which affects innate immune responses of foals. The quality of equine colostrum is typically defined by refractometry or the concentration of maternal antibodies. However, the activity of other equine colostral bioactive molecules has not yet been investigated. This study analyzed whether the administration of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP) influences the biological activity of mare colostrum and whether the biological activity of colostrum has a lasting immunomodulating effect for foals. A total of fourteen pregnant mares received 20 g/day of a SCFP for a period of twelve weeks prior to the calculated date of birth (SCFP-group). Twelve pregnant mares without supplementation served as controls (CON). Colostral Brix values were determined within three hours after parturition. The concentration of IgG in blood sera and colostrum samples was determined with an ELISA. The biological activity was determined in a cell growth assay with a porcine epithelial cell line (IPEC-J2). Mares (at three weeks before the calculated date of birth) and foals (at the age of 5–8 months) received a parenteral active vaccination against influenza and tetanus. The administration of SCFP did not alter the mare's serum and colostrum IgG concentrations and did not exert a significant influence on the mares' early response to the vaccination. Growth and diarrhea episodes were comparable between foals of supplemented mares (SCFP) and foals of mares without supplementation (CON). Colostrum samples from SCFP-supplemented mares exhibited heightened biological activity. While SFCP and CON foals did not differ in their early response to vaccination, the vaccination-induced alterations in circulating neutrophilic granulocyte numbers were significantly correlated with the biological colostrum activity. These findings suggest that the supplementation of mares in late gestation with SCFP can enhance the biological activity of colostrum, which subsequently influences the innate immune responses of their offspring in later life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. Our objectives were to determine the effect of oxytocin use during colostrum harvest on colostrum yield and IgG concentration in Holstein dairy cows on a commercial dairy in New York and to describe associations of cow characteristics with these outcomes. Animals were enrolled between July and October 2023 using a randomized block design, with day of enrollment as the unit of randomization. A median (range) of 10 (3–19) cows were enrolled per day. Treatments were (1) 40 IU oxytocin (OXY40), (2) 20 IU oxytocin (OXY20), and (3) an untreated control group (CNTR). Oxytocin was administered i.m. ∼45 s before unit attachment in a rotary parlor. Colostrum weight was measured using the colostrum bucket-embedded scale or a platform scale when the yield was less than the smallest bucket scale. The concentration of IgG ([IgG]) in colostrum was determined using radial immunodiffusion and used to calculate total IgG, and DM (%) was determined by oven drying. Individual cow characteristics such as parity, calf sex, weight, dystocia score, stillbirth, and milk production in wk 4 of lactation; additionally, for multiparous cows, dry period length and previous lactation dry-off linear SCS were collected. Data were analyzed separately for primiparous and multiparous cows using backward stepwise elimination. To produce final mixed effects ANOVA models, primiparous cows (n = 201) were randomized to 35.8% (n = 72) OXY40, 32.8% (n = 66) OXY20, and 31.3% (n = 63) CNTR. Multiparous groups (n = 435) were randomized to 34.7% (n = 151) OXY40, 29.7% (n = 129) OXY20, and 35.6% (n = 155) CNTR. The median (range) colostrum yield was 6.0 (0–20.6) kg and [IgG] was 98.5 (0.1–293.6) g/L in the study population. In primiparous cows, OXY40 had a higher colostrum yield (LSM [95% CI]) of 5.4 (4.9–5.9) kg compared with both OXY20 (4.1 [3.5–4.7] kg) and CNTR (3.8 [3.3–4.3] kg). In multiparous cows, OXY40, OXY20, and CNTR did not differ in colostrum yield (5.9 [5.3–6.5], 5.7 [5.1–6.3], and 5.4 [4.8–6.0] kg, respectively), but colostrum yield was greater in parity 2 compared with all other parities, cows giving birth to male calves, cows with the highest milk production at wk 4 of lactation, and cows with a dry period of >65 d. Oxytocin use did not affect [IgG] in either primiparous or multiparous cows, but [IgG] was highest in cows in parity ≥4 and lowest in cows dry >65 d. In summary, oxytocin use at 40 IU i.m. was associated with a higher colostrum yield in primiparous cows only and no change in [IgG]. Oxytocin use likely addressed disturbed milk ejection and therefore increased colostrum yield in heifers milked for the first time in a rotary parlor. This study confirms cow characteristics associated with colostrum production within a single herd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

α -Lactalbumin, an abundant protein present in the milk of most mammals, is associated with biological, nutritional and technological functionality. Its sequence presents N -glycosylation motifs, the occupancy of which is species-specific, ranging from no to full occupancy. Here, we investigated the N -glycosylation of bovine α-lactalbumin in colostrum and milk sampled from four individual cows, each at 9 time points starting from the day of calving up to 28.0 d post-partum. Using a glycopeptide-centric mass spectrometry-based glycoproteomics approach, we identified N -glycosylation at both Asn residues found in the canonical Asn-Xxx-Ser/Thr motif, i.e. Asn45 and Asn74 of the secreted protein. We found similar glycan profiles in all four cows, with partial site occupancies, averaging at 35% and 4% for Asn45 and Asn74, respectively. No substantial changes in occupancy occurred over lactation at either site. Fucosylation, sialylation, primarily with N -acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), and a high ratio of N,N′- diacetyllactosamine (LacdiNAc)/ N- acetyllactosamine (LacNAc) motifs were characteristic features of the identified N- glycans. While no substantial changes occurred in site occupancy at either site during lactation, the glycoproteoform (i.e. glycosylated form of the protein) profile revealed dynamic changes; the maturation of the α-lactalbumin glycoproteoform repertoire from colostrum to mature milk was marked by substantial increases in neutral glycans and the number of LacNAc motifs per glycan, at the expense of LacdiNAc motifs. While the implications of α-lactalbumin N -glycosylation on functionality are still unclear, we speculate that N -glycosylation at Asn74 results in a structurally and functionally different protein, due to competition with the formation of its two intra-molecular disulphide bridges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flow cytometry method is used in many fields, not only scientific, but also clinical. In science, flow cytometry is used in immunology, molecular biology, microbiology or plant biology. In medicine, has its use, in the diagnosis of tumours, in reproductive and prenatal diagnosis, in transplants or in haematology. In our experimental work, we used this method to analyse colostrum and milk of sows. The aim of this study was to determine the number of somatic cells, the number of leukocytes and the number of T-lymphocytes. Colostrum samples were collected within 24 hours of delivery and then milk samples were collected at weekly intervals during 3 weeks. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the number of leukocytes (CD45+) in colostrum and milk. The most significant difference was noted between colostrum and milk in weeks 2 and 3 of the experiment (P < 0.0001), with the highest values found in colostrum. On the other hand, we found that the levels of helper T-cells (CD4+) and cytotoxic T-cells (CD8+) gradually increased over time (P > 0.05), with the highest values observed in the third week after farrowing. We can conclude that flow cytometry can be successfully used for the examination of somatic cells in sows' milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Excellent colostrum management in dairy calves is paramount to their future health and productivity. Feeding colostrum in an extended manner is an emerging research area of interest which could provide health benefits to growing calves. Aim of the article: This article explains the potential benefits of extended colostrum (or transition milk feeding) to dairy calves and how to practically implement it on farm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast milk is the most appropriate food for an infant in the first months of life - it provides the essential nutrients required for proper growth, with breast milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) being the third most abundant component. HMO concentrations vary based on factors like lactation stage and maternal health. They play crucial roles in infant health, acting as prebiotics, antimicrobials, and immune modulators. Analytical methods like capillary electrophoresis and liquid chromatography are the most often used in HMOs qualitative and quantitative analysis. Continuing research aims to enhance analytical techniques for comprehensive HMOs analysis, this work presents the development of a capillary electrophoresis method with laser-induced fluorescence detection along with derivatization and solid-phase extraction steps for the characterisation of major oligosaccharides in colostrum samples. Validation parameters, such as linearity (0.9949–0.9989), limits of detection (5.49–16.40 ng cm−3) and quantification (18.30–54.67 ng cm−3), intra- and inter-day precision (2.41–9.78% and 1.27—14.5%, respectively), trueness (− 8.4 to − 2.0%), and recovery (70.02–113.5%) and repeatability (2.22–10.58%) for solid-phase extraction stage were assessed. The method was evaluated using RGB additive colour model regarding the analytical and practical effectiveness and greenness of the method (achieving a brilliance score of 67.1%). Moreover, the developed method was successfully applied to determine three oligosaccharides (DSLNT, 3'SL, and 6'SL) in colostrum samples. Considering its effectiveness, the method has promise for this type of application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Bovine mastitis is an infectious disease that causes substantial economic losses to the dairy industry worldwide. Current antibiotic therapy faces issues of antibiotic misuse and antimicrobial resistance, which has aroused concerns for both veterinary and human medicine. Thus, this study explored the potential of Colo EVs (bovine colostrum-derived extracellular vesicles) to address mastitis. Using LPS-induced murine mammary epithelial cells (HC11), mouse monocyte macrophages (RAW 264.7), and a murine mastitis model with BALB/C mice, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of Colo EVs, in vivo and in vitro. Colo EVs had favorable biosafety profiles, promoting cell proliferation and migration without inducing pathological changes after injection into murine mammary glands. In LPS-induced murine mastitis, Colo EVs significantly reduced inflammation, improved inflammatory scores, and preserved tight junction proteins while protecting milk production. Additionally, in vitro experiments demonstrated that Colo EVs downregulated inflammatory cytokine expression, reduced inflammatory markers, and attenuated NF-κB pathway activation. In summary, we inferred that Colo EVs have promise as a therapeutic approach for mastitis treatment, owing to their anti-inflammatory properties, potentially mediated through the NF-κB signaling pathway modulation. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background This study investigates the safety evaluation of enterocin-producing 11 E. mundtii and two E. faecium strains previously isolated from small livestock colostrums. Enterococcus species do not possess Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status. Hence, it is critical to scrutinize enterococci’s antibiotic resistance, virulence characteristics, and biogenic amine production capabilities in order to assess their safety before using them as starter or adjunct cultures. Results Enterococcus strains showed susceptibility to medically significant antibiotics. Multiple-drug resistance (MDR) was found in only E. faecium HC121.4, and its multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index was detected to be 0.22. The tetL and aph(3')-IIIa were the most commonly found antibiotic resistance genes in the strains. However, E. mundtii strains HC56.3, HC73.1, HC147.1, and E. faecium strain HC121.4 were detected to lack any of the antibiotic resistance genes examined in this study. Only E. mundtii HC166.3 showed hemolytic activity, while none of the strains engage in gelatinase activity. The strains were identified to have virulence factor genes with a low rate. None of the virulence factor genes could be detected in E. mundtii HC26.1, HC56.3, HC73.1, HC165.3, HC166.8, and E. faecium HC121.4. The E. mundtii HC73.2 strain displayed the highest presence of virulence factor genes, namely gelE, efaA fs , cpd, and ccf. Similarly, the E. mundtii HC112.1 strain showed a significant presence of genes efaA fm , ccf, and acm. There was no decarboxylation of histidine, ornithine, or lysine seen in any of the strains. Nevertheless, E. faecium HC121.4 and HC161.1 strains could decarboxylate tyrosine, but E. mundtii HC26.1, HC56.3, HC73.1, HC73.2, HC112.1, HC147.1, HC155.2, HC165.3, HC166.3, HC166.5, and HC166.8 strains only showed a limited capacity for tyrosine decarboxylation. None of the strains possessed the hdc, odc, or ldc genes, but all of them had the tdc gene. Conclusion The E. mundtii HC56.3 and HC73.1 strains were deemed appropriate for utilization in food production. Using the remaining 11 strains as live cultures in food production activities could pose a possible risk to consumer health.

ABSTRACT: In March 2023, the European Food Safety Authority published a Scientific Opinion on Calf Welfare. This opinion was prepared in response to a request from the European Commission to provide an independent view on the welfare of calves that reflected the most recent scientific knowledge. Data sources used to develop their recommendations included peer-reviewed studies, expert knowledge, and gray literature. The opinion considered specific scenarios and welfare consequences of specific management practices, including feeding fiber to calves raised for white veal and amount of cow-calf contact. The opinion suggested that calves should be fed specific quantities of forage NDF during the rearing cycle. Regarding separation of calves, the committee recommended that the calf should remain with the cow for a minimum of 24 h and then be housed with another calf. The committee further suggested that prolonged cow-calf contact should increasingly be implemented, due to benefits to both cow and calf to minimize stress of separation. The objective of this review is to assess the veracity of these recommendations and the scientific data that underpins them. This review will present literature to support the contention that, from a nutritional and management perspective, these recommendations may impair calf welfare by exposing calves to innutritious rations containing excess fiber and increasing their risk of morbidity and mortality due to poor colostrum intake and exposure to disease-causing pathogens. Alternative recommendations are made that may further the goal of calf welfare in the context of nutrition and housing.

Abstract Background The prolificacy of sows (litter size at birth) has markedly increased, leading to higher post-natal mortality. Heat stress can exacerbate this issue. Arginine plays an important role in several physiological pathways; its effect on gestating sows can depend on the period of supplementation. This study evaluated the effects of arginine supplementation on the productive performance and physiological status of sows during different gestation periods and seasons, using a multi-omics approach. Methods A total of 320 sows were divided into 4 groups over 2 seasons (warm/cold); a control group (CO) received a standard diet (including 16.5 g/d of arginine) and 3 other groups received the standard diet supplemented with 21.8 g/d of arginine (38.3 g/d of arginine) either during the first 35 d (Early35), the last 45 d (Late45) or throughout the entire gestation period (COM). The colostrum was analyzed for nutritional composition, immunoglobulins and metabolomic profile. Urine and feces were analyzed on d 35 and 106 for the metabolomic and microbial profiles. Piglet body weight and mortality were recorded at birth, d 6, d 26, and on d 14 post-weaning. Results Interactions between arginine and season were never significant. The Early35 group had a lower percentage of stillborn (P

Abstract Background The peripartum period constitutes a delicate physiological moment in mares showing a transient state of oxidative stress. Diet supplementation with antioxidants during pregnancy in women appears to have a beneficial effect on mother and neonate health. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of diet supplementation with a commercial product containing a mix of antioxidants (Oxyliver®, Candioli) on the length of gestation, weight, and haemato-biochemical parameters in Italian Salernitano mares and their newborn foals. Eight late-term pregnant mares were randomly divided into two groups: Antiox group receiving 30 g/day of antioxidants, and Car group receiving the same amount of carrot powder, from 290 to 320 days of gestation. The following parameters were evaluated in mares: weight, colostrum composition, haemato-biochemical parameters, progesterone, and cortisol blood concentrations, along with blood oxidant/antioxidant status. Assessments were conducted at specific time points: immediately before the start of diet supplementation (T0), 15 days after (T1), at the end of diet supplementation (T2), within 8 h after parturition (T3), and 10 days post-partum (T4). Foal parameters such as weight, haemato-biochemical values, cortisol concentration, and blood oxidative stress variables were assessed within 8 h of birth (TF0) and at 10 days of age (TF1). Results Pregnancy was shorter in the Antiox group (P

ABSTRACT: Our objectives were to determine the effect of oxytocin use during colostrum harvest on colostrum yield and IgG concentration in Holstein dairy cows on a commercial dairy in New York and to describe associations of cow characteristics with these outcomes. Animals were enrolled between July and October 2023 using a randomized block design, with day of enrollment as the unit of randomization. A median (range) of 10 (3–19) cows were enrolled per day. Treatments were (1) 40 IU oxytocin (OXY40), (2) 20 IU oxytocin (OXY20), and (3) an untreated control group (CNTR). Oxytocin was administered i.m. ∼45 s before unit attachment in a rotary parlor. Colostrum weight was measured using the colostrum bucket-embedded scale or a platform scale when the yield was less than the smallest bucket scale. The concentration of IgG ([IgG]) in colostrum was determined using radial immunodiffusion and used to calculate total IgG, and DM (%) was determined by oven drying. Individual cow characteristics such as parity, calf sex, weight, dystocia score, stillbirth, and milk production in wk 4 of lactation; additionally, for multiparous cows, dry period length and previous lactation dry-off linear SCS were collected. Data were analyzed separately for primiparous and multiparous cows using backward stepwise elimination. To produce final mixed effects ANOVA models, primiparous cows (n = 201) were randomized to 35.8% (n = 72) OXY40, 32.8% (n = 66) OXY20, and 31.3% (n = 63) CNTR. Multiparous groups (n = 435) were randomized to 34.7% (n = 151) OXY40, 29.7% (n = 129) OXY20, and 35.6% (n = 155) CNTR. The median (range) colostrum yield was 6.0 (0–20.6) kg and [IgG] was 98.5 (0.1–293.6) g/L in the study population. In primiparous cows, OXY40 had a higher colostrum yield (LSM [95% CI]) of 5.4 (4.9–5.9) kg compared with both OXY20 (4.1 [3.5–4.7] kg) and CNTR (3.8 [3.3–4.3] kg). In multiparous cows, OXY40, OXY20, and CNTR did not differ in colostrum yield (5.9 [5.3–6.5], 5.7 [5.1–6.3], and 5.4 [4.8–6.0] kg, respectively), but colostrum yield was greater in parity 2 compared with all other parities, cows giving birth to male calves, cows with the highest milk production at wk 4 of lactation, and cows with a dry period of >65 d. Oxytocin use did not affect [IgG] in either primiparous or multiparous cows, but [IgG] was highest in cows in parity ≥4 and lowest in cows dry >65 d. In summary, oxytocin use at 40 IU i.m. was associated with a higher colostrum yield in primiparous cows only and no change in [IgG]. Oxytocin use likely addressed disturbed milk ejection and therefore increased colostrum yield in heifers milked for the first time in a rotary parlor. This study confirms cow characteristics associated with colostrum production within a single herd.

A smooth transition phase is the key for optimal dairy cows’ performance and reduced antibiotics use. Therefore, the objective of our Our study was to compare the effect of an antibiotic growth promoter and a nutraceutical bolus, onhealth, colostrum, milk production, and profitability in transition dairy cows. Seventy-five animals blocked by parity, previous milk yield, lactation length, and body condition score (BCS) were assigned in a randomised design to 1 of 3 groups: control (CON; N = 26) receiving no treatment; monensin (MON; N = 27) receiving, a slow-releasing intraruminal bolus of sodic monensin at −20 d relative to expected calving; nutraceutical (ECS; N = 22) receiving, at −5 d before the expected calving an intraruminal bolus of Echinacea purpurea dry extract, vitamin E, l-carnitine and Silybum marianum released within 24h. Colostrum yield and density were recorded; its composition and immunoglobulins content were analysed. Every 20 days BCS was recorded; individual milk yield was recorded daily until 70DIM and monthly thereafter until 305 DIM. Milk quality was tested monthly. An economic evaluation until 70DIM was performed. Colostrum and BCS were analysed by analysis of covariance. Economics and BCS were analysed with ANOVA, and milk yield and quality with ANOVA for repeated measures. The MON and ECS had lower colostrum protein and His, Arg, Ala, Met, Val and Ile content, and in higher milk yield until 35 (ECS) and 70 (MON) DIM compared to the CON. A trend for a higher partial income was observed for MON and ECS compared to the CON group, suggesting a positive impact of the treatments.

Sows are selected for their prolificacy. Therefore, assessing difficulties that can be associated with large litters is crucial. This review aims to highlight the factors that can affect reproductive performance such as breed, parity, litter size, environment, and nutrition. Understanding these factors can help producers make informed decisions about sow management and other aspects. Higher within-litter variation is the result of a high number of piglets born. It has been determined that large litter sizes pose a risk to animal welfare in the pig industry. Moreover, large litters bring more piglets with low birth weight leading to high pre-weaning losses. Lighter littermates struggle to get enough colostrum due to the competition with heavy littermates, which lowers their chances of survival causing high mortality. Larger litters may cause greater stress and discomfort of the sow. Therefore, applying stress-free environment and treating the sow with anti-inflammatory compounds may enhance the sow performance and consequent survival of piglets. The litter size is positively correlated with the variation in birth weight within a litter, while the average weight at birth is negatively related to litter size. Producers should therefore focus on potential management strategies that can improve piglet performance, survival and welfare such as proper supervision and adequate colostrum intake. This review highlights the historical development of the pig industry and literature on the variation in piglet weight at birth within a litter, factors influencing weight at birth, and the potential effects on the piglet performance before weaning. Also, the difficulties amongst large litters and possible strategies for managing survival in large litters were also reviewed.

Abstract Background Colostrum is the first milk for a newborn. Its high content in microbiota shaping compounds and its intake at the time of gut microbiota seeding suggests colostrum may be critical in the establishment of a healthy microbiota. There is also accumulating evidence on the importance of the gut microbiota for healthy growth. Here, we aimed to investigate the contribution of colostrum, and colostrum-induced microbiota to growth promotion. Addressing this question is highly significant because (1) globally, less than half of the newborns are fully colostrum fed (2) the evidence for the importance of the microbiota for the prevention of undernutrition has only been demonstrated in juvenile or adult pre-clinical models while stunting already starts before weaning. Results To address the importance of diet at birth in growth failure, we developed a unique mouse model in which neonates are breastfed by mothers at an advanced stage of lactation who no longer provide colostrum. Feeding newborn mice with mature milk instead of colostrum resulted in significant growth retardation associated with the biological features of chronic undernutrition, such as low leptin levels, dyslipidemia, systemic inflammation, and growth hormone resistance. We next investigated the role of colostrum in microbiota shaping. At the end of the lactation period, we found a major difference in gut microbiota alpha diversity, beta diversity, and taxa distribution in control and colostrum-deprived mice. To determine the causal relationship between changes in microbiota and growth trajectories, we repeated our experiment in germ-free mice. The beneficial effect of colostrum on growth remained in the absence of microbiota. Conclusion Our data suggest that colostrum may play an important role in the prevention of growth failure. They highlight that the interplay between neonatal gut microbiome assembly and diet may not be as crucial for growth control in the developing newborn as described in young adults. This opens a paradigm shift that will foster research for colostrum’s bioactives that may exert a similar effect to microbiota-derived ligands in promoting growth and lead to new avenues of translational research for newborn-tailored prevention of stunting. Video Abstract

Background and Aim: The colostrum is essential for a kid’s survival and development. The metabolomic profiles of mammary secretion in goats are limited. This study investigated the metabolomic profiles of mammary secretion in purebred Black Bengal goats and their relationships with litter size and parity number. Materials and Methods: 500 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance was used to analyze the metabolomic profiles of 43 colostrum and milk samples collected on delivery day and day 7 after parturition, respectively. Results: Fifty-one metabolites were distinguished between colostrum and milk based on heatmap visualization and hierarchical cluster analysis. In colostrum, most compounds were present in significantly greater amounts than in milk. Milk of goats with multiple litter sizes had higher levels of lactose while fat, protein, total solids, solid not fat, and most of the metabolites were lower. The parity number of dams shows no difference in the composition of all components between primiparous and multiparous goats. Conclusion: The components in colostrum were significantly more concentrated than those in milk. The multiple litter sizes in dams led to a significant impact on the composition of lactose and other milk metabolites.

Abstract Background Development of the cow-calf bond post-partum and passive immunity of calves from spring-calving beef × beef (B×B) and beef × dairy (B×D) cow genotypes was determined using primiparous and multiparous (Experiment 1), and primiparous and second-parity (Experiment 2) animals. In Experiment 1, calves either suckled colostrum naturally (‘natural-suckling’) (n = 126), or were fed colostrum, using an oesophageal-tube (‘artificially-fed’) (n = 26), from their dam within 1-h post-partum. In Experiment 2, all calves (n = 60) were artificially-fed colostrum from their dam. Prior to colostrum suckling/feeding, colostrum was sampled for IgG analysis. The cow-calf bond was assessed using CCTV recordings during the first 4-h post-partum. Calves were blood sampled at 48-h post-partum to determine IgG and total protein (TP) concentrations, and zinc sulphate turbidity (ZST) units. Results There was no difference (P > 0.05) in cow licking behaviours and calf standing and suckling behaviours between the genotypes, except in Experiment 2 where B×D calves had more attempts to suckle before suckling occurred (P ≤ 0.05) compared to B×B calves. In Experiment 1, multiparous cows licked their calves sooner (P ≤ 0.05) and for longer (P 0.05) between the genotypes in either Experiment. In Experiment 1, colostrum IgG concentrations were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in multiparous compared to primiparous cows and their calves had superior (P ≤ 0.05) passive immunity; no effect of parity was found in Experiment 2. Passive immunity did not differ (P > 0.05) between suckled and artificially-fed calves in Experiment 1. Conclusions Cow genotype had little effect on cow-calf behaviours, but under ‘natural-suckling’ conditions primiparous cows expressed maternal inexperience and their calves were less vigorous than multiparous cows. Colostrum IgG concentration and calf passive immunity measures were unaffected by genotype, but under ‘natural-suckling’ conditions calves from primiparous cows had lower passive immunity.

ABSTRACT: Colostrum is a rich source of nutritional and non-nutritional components and is recognized as essential to transfer passive immunity to newborn calves. Because of the individual and seasonal variability in colostrum yield and composition, maintaining an adequate supply of high-quality colostrum year-round remains a challenge for commercial dairy producers. In this narrative review, we described the individual, seasonal, and herd-level variability of colostrum production and summarized the association between individual animal factors such as parity, sex of the calf, calf birth weight, as well as indicators of the cow's metabolic status and the yield and composition of colostrum. Further, we reviewed the current knowledge on the influence of prepartum nutrition and management strategies on colostrum production. Research on the metabolizable energy and protein supplied in the prepartum diet as well as on the inclusion and source of vitamins, minerals, and feed additives suggests prepartum nutrition influences the yield, quality, and composition of colostrum. Furthermore, the prepartum environment and dry period length remain influential factors in the production of colostrum. However, additional research is needed to understand the mechanisms by which prepartum nutrition and management affect colostrum production. Finally, time from calving to colostrum harvest and oxytocin administration as well as the current knowledge on the effect of heat treatment and colostrum storage strategies on colostral components were discussed. To conclude, we identify critical gaps in knowledge for future focus of investigation in colostrum research.

ABSTRACT: Portable infrared-based instruments have made important contributions in different research fields. Within the dairy supply chain, for example, most of portable devices are based on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and are nowadays an important support for farmers and operators of the dairy sector, allowing fast and real-time decision-making, particularly for feed and milk quality evaluation and animal health and welfare monitoring. The affordability, portability, and ease of use of these instruments have been pivotal factors for their implementation on farm. In fact, pocket-sized devices enable nonexpert users to perform quick, low-cost, and nondestructive analysis on various matrixes without complex preparation. Because bovine colostrum (BC) quality is mostly given by the IgG level, evaluating the ability of portable NIRS tools to measure antibody concentration is advisable. In this study we used the wireless device SCiO manufactured by Consumer Physics Inc. (Tel Aviv, Israel) to collect BC spectra and then attempt to predict IgG concentration and gross and fine composition in individual samples collected immediately after calving (

Previous studies have shown that maternal resveratrol improved growth performance and altered the microbial composition of suckling piglets under hot summer conditions. However, it remains unclear how maternal resveratrol improves growth performance of suckling piglets during high summer temperatures. A total of 20 sows (Landrace × Large White; three parity) were randomly assigned to 2 groups (with or without 300 mg/kg resveratrol) from d 75 of gestation to d 21 of lactation during high ambient temperatures (from 27 to 30 °C). The results showed that maternal resveratrol supplementation increased total daily weight gain of piglets under hot summer conditions, which is consistent with previous studies. Furthermore, we found that maternal resveratrol improved the intestinal morphology and intestinal epithelial proliferation in suckling piglets. Dietary resveratrol supplementation affected the characteristics of exosome-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) in sow colostrum, as well as the genes targeted by differentially produced miRNAs. MiRNAs are concentrated in the tight junction pathway. As a result, the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins was increased in suckling piglets (P

Simple Summary: Donkey milk is recognized as a functional food due to its high whey protein content. It is especially beneficial for newborn nutrition because of its nutritional similarities to human milk and its hypoallergenic properties. It can be used to prevent hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. However, donkey lactation is less productive in terms of liters/d than dairy cow lactation. It has been suggested that the energy content of the diet in late pregnancy is the main factor influencing the composition of postpartum colostrum in dairy animals. However, research on the influence of dietary energy in late gestation on the mineral content of postpartum jenny milk is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary energy levels during late gestation on mineral contents in the colostrum milk of lactating jennies. The results showed that appropriately increasing dietary energy levels in late gestation increased the concentrations of Ca, P, K, Mg, Cu, Fe, Zn, and Mo in milk, but high dietary energy levels showed the opposite effect. The concentrations of these minerals in jenny milk decreased with the duration of lactation. This study investigated the effects of dietary energy levels during late gestation on mineral content in the plasma, colostrum, and milk of jennies postpartum. Twenty-four pregnant multiparous DeZhou jennies, aged 6.0  ±  0.1 years, with a body weight of 292  ±  33 kg, an average parity number of 2.7  ±  0.1, and similar expected dates of confinement (74  ±  4 days), were randomly allocated to three groups and fed three diets: high energy (12.54 MJ/kg, HE), medium energy (12.03 MJ/kg, ME), and low energy (11.39 MJ/kg, LE). Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of each jenny at time points of 0 h, 24 h, 48 h, 5 d, 7 d, and 14 d after parturition. Additionally, milk samples were collected through manual milking, and an analysis of the mineral content was conducted. The results showed that compared with HE, both ME and LE significantly increased the levels of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), and cobalt (Co) in the plasma and Ca, P, magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), Zn, selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), and Co in the milk of jennies postpartum (p < 0.05); ME also increased the levels of potassium (K), iron (Fe), and Mn in plasma and K and Fe in milk (p < 0.05). The levels of Ca, K, Mg, P, Fe, Cu, Mn, Co, Se, Zn, and Mo in plasma and milk gradually decreased with increasing postpartum time. Their contents were the highest at 0 h postpartum, rapidly decreased after 24 h postpartum, and declined to the lowest on day 14 postpartum. The interaction between dietary energy level and postpartum time showed that although the concentrations of the minerals Ca, P, K, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Co, Se, and Mo decreased in jennies' plasma and milk in the treatment groups with different energy levels as postpartum time increased, the pattern of change was also influenced by dietary energy level. The influence of dietary energy level in late gestation on the mineral content of milk and plasma during the postpartum colostrum phase was higher than that during the milk phase. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that, under the current experimental conditions, the mineral content of the colostrum, milk, and plasma of jennies after parturition was dependent on the dietary energy level during late gestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among other bioactive molecules, milk contains high amounts of sialylated milk oligosaccharides (MOs) that influence numerous processes in the offspring. For instance, sialylated MOs inhibit the invasion of pathogens and positively influence the gut microbiome to support the optimal development of the offspring. For these reasons, sialylated MOs are also used in infant formula as well as food supplements and are potential therapeutic substances for humans and animals. Because of the high interest in sialylated bovine MOs (bMOs), we used several analytical approaches, such as gas and liquid chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry, to investigate in detail the profile of sialylated bMOs in the milk of Holstein Friesian cows during early lactation. Most of the 40 MOs identified in this study were sialylated, and a rapid decrease in all detected sialylated bMOs took place during the first day of lactation. Remarkably, we observed a high variance within the sialylation level during the first two days after calving. Therefore, our results suggest that the content of sialylated MOs might be an additional quality marker for the bioactivity of colostrum and transitional milk to ensure its optimized application for the production of milk replacer and food supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Rabbit colostrum is the initial mammary secretion after parturition, consisting of nutritional and bioactive components. However, the protein expression profiles in the colostrum and mature milk of rabbits are still unclear. Accordingly, in this study, the proteomics approach was performed on milk sampled from rabbit colostrum and mature milk. A total of 525 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) were revealed, among which 244 proteins were upregulated and 281 were downregulated compared with the colostrum of rabbits. The bioinformatics analysis showed that the DAPs were related to the immune response and fatty acids metabolism. In conclusion, the results of this study will contribute to the expansion of the rabbit milk protein database, as well as provide insights into utilizing breeding practices to address concerns related to the growth and health of rabbit offspring. Colostrum intake is a crucial determinant of survival in newborn rabbits. Neonates rely entirely on passive immunity transfer from their mothers while suckling colostrum. The goal of this study was to explore the protein differences of rabbit milk during different lactation periods. Our findings showed that the daily milk yield exhibited an increasing trend from the 2nd to the 21st day of lactation. A data-independent acquisition proteomics approach identified a total of 2011 proteins. Significantly, different abundances were found for 525 proteins in the colostrum and the mature milk samples. Eleven differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) were examined using parallel reaction monitoring, which verified the reliability of the proteomic data. Gene Ontology analysis revealed that these DAPs were primarily associated with glycosyltransferase activity, macromolecule transmembrane transporter activity, and regulation of acute inflammatory response. The dominant metabolic pathways of the DAPs involve the complement and coagulation cascades. A protein–protein interaction analysis identified apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein A1, triose phosphate isomerase 1, and albumin as the hub proteins responsible for distinguishing differences between biological properties in rabbit colostrum and mature milk. These findings enhance our comprehension of the rabbit milk proteome, particularly in expanding our knowledge regarding the requirements of neonatal rabbits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the efficacy of supplementing bovine colostrum replacer during weaning to reduce intestinal permeability and improve gain. For this experiment, 65 calves were enrolled and housed individually until 70 d of age. Calves were fed milk replacer (150 g/L) 3 times daily with 9, 10.5, 11.25, and 12 L/d offered from d 1 to 7, 8 to 14, 15 to 21, 22 to 56, respectively. Calves were weaned over 8 d from d 57 to 64, receiving a total of 7.8 L in 2 meals per day from d 57 to 60 and 3.8 L/d in 1 feeding from d 61 to 64. At d 57, calves were blocked by birth weight and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments, equal in ME, which were fed once daily during weaning from d 57 to 64: control (CON; n = 31 calves): 3.8 L of milk replacer (150 g/L) fed by nipple bottle, or colostrum supplementation (COL; n = 34): a mixture of 1 L of bovine colostrum replacer (125 g/L) and 3 L of milk replacer (150 g/L) with 3.8 L of of the mixture fed by nipple bottle. Serum IgG was measured within 48 h of birth and BW was taken at d 0, 57, 60, 64, 70, 77, and 84. Starter intake and bovine respiratory disease (BRD) score were measured daily from d 50 to 70, and fecal consistency was examined daily from d 56 to 70. Serum BHB and lung consolidation were evaluated at d 57, 64, and 70, and intestinal permeability was assessed by recovery of chromium-EDTA, lactulose, and d -mannitol from plasma after oral administration at d 56 and 65. Body weight had no difference between treatment groups at the start of weaning, but COL were 2.79 kg (95% CI: 0.90–4.68) and 2.76 kg (95% CI: 0.86–4.65) heavier than CON at d 77 and 84, respectively. Additionally, COL tended to gain 100.00 g/d more than CON calves (95% CI: −10.41–207.13) from d 57 to 84. No differences were observed in any of the other variables measured. Supplementation of bovine colostrum replacer during weaning may improve weight gain, but the mechanism of action is not clear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colostrum is gaining popularity in cosmetic products. The present study compared the composition and selected biological properties of colostrum from Polish sheep (colostrum 1) and Swiss sheep (colostrum 2), particularly those that can affect healthy or diseased skin. The antioxidant activity of the colostrums was measured using ABTS and DPPH assays. The effect on the proliferation of human skin fibroblasts, neonatal epidermal keratinocytes, and human diabetic fibroblast (dHF) cells isolated from diabetic foot ulcers was also assayed in vitro by MTT and Presto Blue tests, respectively. The colostrum simulated dHF cell proliferation by up to 115.4%. The highest used concentration of colostrum 1 stimulated normal fibroblast proliferation by 191.2% (24 h) and 222.2% (48 h). Both colostrums inhibited epidermal keratinocyte viability. The influence of the colostrums on the expression of genes related to proliferation (Ki67) and immune response (IL-6, PTGS-2, TSG-6) in dHF cells were compared. Colostrum 1 increased the rate of wound closure (scar test). Analysis of total fat, protein and fatty acid content found the Polish colostrum to be a richer source of fat than the Swiss colostrum, which contained a larger amount of protein. Both colostrums exhibit properties that suggest they could be effective components in cosmetic or medicinal formulations for skin care, especially supporting its regeneration, rejuvenation, and wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Failure of passive transfer of immunity (FPT) is a prevalent concern in veterinary practice and can be assessed through various methodologies. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess different methodologies for determining FPT in calves, along with correlating these parameters with maternal and colostral parameters, with the intention of identifying alternative methods for FPT evaluation. Forty-five cows (16 primiparous and 29 multiparous) and their respective colostrum and calves were selected. Blood samples were obtained at birth and 24 h post-colostrum ingestion for biochemical evaluation, including IgG, total protein (TP), albumin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and triglycerides. A Brix refractometer was employed for assessing samples. Calves from both primiparous and multiparous cows exhibited increased ALP, GGT, globulins, IgG, and TP levels post-colostrum ingestion. Calves born from multiparous cows demonstrated greater increases in TP and IgG levels and lower ALP activity compared to those from primiparous cows. Colostrum from multiparous cows exhibited lower Brix values and higher ALP activity than that from primiparous cows. There was a positive correlation between IgG and globulin levels in calves and maternal globulin levels. Maternal ALP activity showed a negative correlation with calf globulin, IgG, and TP levels via both biochemical and refractometric methods. Maternal TP levels were positively correlated with calf globulin, IgG, and TP levels. Brix and colostral globulin from multiparous cows positively correlated with calf globulin, IgG, and TP levels. Cost-effective and practical methodologies such as refractometry and biochemical assays can serve as reliable tools for FPT assessment in calves. Brix refractometry demonstrated a strong correlation with conventional parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactoferrin (Lf), a multifunctional cationic glycoprotein extracted from milk or colostrum, is able to chelate two ferric ions per molecule, inhibit the formation of reactive oxygen species, interact with the anionic components of bacteria or host cells, and enter inside host cell nucleus, thereby exerting antibacterial, anti-invasive, and anti-inflammatory activities. By virtue of Lf presence, bovine colostrum is expected to perform analogous functions to pure Lf, along with additional activities attributable to other bioactive constituents. The present research aims to compare the antibacterial, anti-invasive, and anti-inflammatory activities of bovine Lf purified from milk (mbLf) and colostrum (cbLf) in comparison to those exhibited by whole bovine colostrum (wbc). The results demonstrated a major efficacy of mbLf in inhibiting pathogenic bacteria and in exerting anti-invasive and anti-survival activities with respect to cbLf and wbc. Furthermore, mbLf lowered IL-6 levels to those of uninfected cells, while a less evident decrease was observed upon cbLf treatment. Conversely, wbc managed to slightly lower IL-6 levels compared to those synthesized by infected cells. These data demonstrate that, to obtain maximum effectiveness in such activities, Lf should be formulated/used without addition of other substances and should be sourced from bovine milk rather than colostrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the factors affecting the colostrum quality in dairy farms located in the Menemen district of İzmir province. A total of 61 colostrum samples were collected in the first 6 hours after birth from six dairy farms having more than 100 head. The colostrum obtained from each cow was measured for density using a colostrometer. It was found that 40 of the colostrum samples were of good quality, 16 were of medium quality, and 5 were of poor quality. The current study identified a statistically significant effect of herd size (P<0.05) on colostrum quality, with higher quality observed in farms with a herd size of less than 250 head. Parity and calving season did not affect colostrum quality in this study. Simmental cows had better colostrum quality than Holstein and Jersey cows. The specific gravity of Jersey colostrum was lower (-23 g/L) in summer compared to other seasons, whereas that of Simmental was higher. Therefore, it can be concluded that Simmental and Holstein cows are more suitable for profitable dairy farming in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]