The Impact of Parity on Dairy Cows Colostrum Quality

Abstract

One of the main indicators of colostrum quality is represented by its immunoglobulin content, protein molecules responsible for the calf’s passive immunity. The objective of this study was to investigate the quality of colostrum according to the concentration of total proteins and ℽ-globulins, as well as the influence that the number of parturitions has on its quality. Twenty colostrum samples, collected from primiparous (n =10) and multiparous cows (n = 10), from two different dairy cow breeds, were analyzed by the ultraviolet spectrophotometric method. The results of the study showed an increase in colostrum quality depending on the number of parturitions only in cows of the Romanian Black-Spotted breed. In the case of Holstein cows, colostrum quality was not influenced by parity. This study underlines the need to expand research on the influence of individual factors on colostrum quality.

Keywords

• colostrum; immunoglobulins; parity.