Colostrum: The Nectar for Vitality

Abstract

After parturition, the initial secretion form mammary gland of females is termed as colostrum. Its composition varies from species to species. It is very essential that newborn receives good quality colostrum at an earliest age in required amount so as to have at least 10 mg/ml of IgG level in serum to ensure proper immunity. As the loss in absorptive sites of intestine and digestive enzymes is more with advancing time which affects its absorption. Quality of colostrum can be monitored using colostrometer and refractometer. If natural colostrum is not available, colostral supplements like from bovine serum, cheese whey or colostrum from other animals could be given to newborn. Therefore, to ensure supply of proper nutrients and immunity to newly born offspring, colostrum must be fed at the earliest possible time after birth.

Keywords: Colostrum, newborn animals, nutrients, immunity

Cite this Article
Kuldeep Dudi, Chander Datt, Indu Devi, Shambhvi, Vinay V.V. Colostrum: The Nectar for Vitality. Research & Reviews: Journal of Dairy Science and Technology. 2019; 8(2): 19–24p.