Comparison of sheep and goat colostrum fatty acids contents

Abstract

The quality and content of colostrum is a very important factor for the health of the offspring. Colostrum is the first food that ensures the growth and development of offspring and their immunity against diseases. Colostrum composition is affected by many factors such as calving season, number of lactations, length of dry period, maternal diseases, age and breed. The animal material of the research consisted of Awassi sheep and Saanen goats raised in Adana province, where Mediterranean conditions prevail, and these animals were kept in semi-intensive conditions. In the study, fatty acids of sheep and goat colostrums were determined by gas chromatography device. As a result of the analysis, 26 fatty acids were detected in Awasi sheep and 27 fatty acids in Saanen goats. Erucic acid was not detected in Awasi sheep colostrum. The colostrum fatty acids with the highest percentage in both breeds wre oleic acid (Awassi sheep: 36.32%, Saanen goat: 25.68%) and palmitic acid (Awassi sheep: 28.15%, Saanen goat: 29.20%) was determined as. ∑SFA rates were found to be higher in Saanen goat colostrum, and ∑MUFA and ∑PUFA rates were found to be higher in Awassi sheep.