Trace mineral concentrations in goat milk from French-Alpine and Anglo-Nubian breeds during the first 5 months of lactation

Abstract

Concentration profiles of Mn, Cu, Al, Fe, and Zn in goat milk of French-Alpine and Anglo-Nubian breeds from onset to 150 days of lactation were determined. Respective overall mean concentrations of Mn, Cu, and Fe for all milk of Alpine and Nubian breeds for the entire experimental period were 0.33, 5.0, and 1.7 ppm (mg/liter). Nubian milk had significantly greater levels of Cu (1.36 vs 1.69 ppm) and Zn (7.9 vs 11.9 ppm) than milk of the Alpine counterparts. Declines in Fe and Zn levels from colostrum to mature milk in the Nubian breed were slower than those in the Alpine breed. Except for Mn, colostrum generally contained 2 to 4 times the mineral levels of mature milk, but the trends for the Cu and Al levels were not consistent. The levels of Cu and Zn were affected by breed, and those of Cu, Al, Fe, and Zn were influenced by stage of lactation. Interaction between breed and lactation period affected the levels of Mn and Fe. Correlations ( r) among the levels of five minerals in the milk changed with stage of lactation. There were positive and significant r's between the levels of Al and Mn, Zn and Cu, and Zn and Al.