Abstract
The impact of cow mammary gland diseases on the quality of colostrum is not conclusively defined; research results are conflicting. However, it is widely believed that mastitis lowers the level of immunoglobulins and the quality of the colostrum produced. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the influence of somatic cell counts (SCC) on the colostrum immunostimulating and chemical components. The experiment was conducted on an experimental organic dairy farm in which a herd of approximately 250 cows was kept in a freestall housing system, with the average performance exceeding 6,000 kg of milk per lactation. Colostrum and milk samples were taken individually from each cow seven times during the experiment: from the first to second day after calving–twice per day, and from the third to fifth day after calving–once per day. Therefore, after preliminary analyses, the cows were divided into two groups based on the cytological quality of their colostrum at the first collection: 1. SCC ≤400,000 cells/ml (good quality colostrum; GCC– 18 cows), 2. SCC ≥ 400,000 cells/ml (low quality colostrum; LCC– 22 cows). The study found almost double the concentration of immunoglobulins and essential fatty acids in first milking colostrum in the GCC group than in colostrum from the LCC group. In addition, an increase in the concentration of lysozyme in first milking colostrum was associated with a decrease in the concentration of immunoglobulins. In addition, the increase in the level of lysozyme was associated with a decrease in the concentration of immunoglobulins. In conclusion, the SCC of first milking colostrum can be used as an indicator of colostrum quality.
Highlights
The most critical time for calf health is the first two weeks of life, with high mortality rates associated with the feeding of poor quality colostrum, poor environmental hygiene, and digestive disorders [1]
The experiment was conducted on an experimental organic dairy farm in which a herd of approximately 250 cows was kept in a freestall housing system, with the average performance exceeding 6,000 kg of milk per lactation
Studies have shown that the chemical composition and the immunoglobulin concentration of colostrum varies during the first three days of lactation with breed and age of cow [19,32] and with the system of production [18]
Summary
The most critical time for calf health is the first two weeks of life, with high mortality rates associated with the feeding of poor quality colostrum, poor environmental hygiene, and digestive disorders [1]. Calves are born essentially agammaglobulinemic and rely on passive absorption of immunoglobulin from colostrum to protect them from disease in the first few weeks of life [2]. More than 550 g IgG per week is actively transported into secretion via epithelial cells and leukocytes [3]. It should be stressed that a calf should receive. Somatic cell count as an indicator of colostrum quality study. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
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