Tuesday, August 25, 2009

The Making of Bovine Colostrum

By Dr. Anthony Kleinsmith

A pregnant cow, about 3-4 weeks before delivery, creates what is called colostrum. It is created by a fluid which is released into the mammary tissue being developed in the mother cow. This fluid contains transforming substances and growth hormones such as progesterone. Progesterone attaches to the cell lining in the mammary gland and inhibits the cells from releasing any fluid into the gland during the pregnancy. These cells have receptors on them that help transfer substances such as antibodies, growth promoters and other hormones from the mother cow's blood into the mammary gland. These substances help the calf in its development after it is born.

The hormone balance in the mother cow begins to change about 2 days prior to the birth of the calf. This hormone change initiates secretions and combines substances together. After the baby calf is born and the placenta is delivered, progesterone levels in the mother drop. The blocking of secretions by progesterone is eliminated; a protein-based substance is created in the mammary gland cells and transfers of substances from the mother's blood into the mammary gland are stopped. The fluid in the mother cow found in the mammary gland at birth is called colostrum. It contains high amounts of hormones, metabolically active substances and growth promoters. Colostrum also has a high concentration of protein, is rich in milk fat and low in its lactose content.

After the mother cow delivers the calf, the removal of fluid from the mammary gland creates an abundant amount of secretion from the mammary gland. This replacement fluid is called transitional milk and will be different from the original fluid secreted from the mammary gland at birth. Another reason this replacement fluid is different from the original fluid is after birth the mother cow begins to reabsorb the fluid that is in the mammary gland. The highest quality of colostrum is collected in the first milking within six hours of the calf's birth. The first milking contains the highest concentration of biologically active substances and nutrients.



While the colostrum changes its composition, the events complement the events of the newborn baby calf. When the calf is born, its stomach lining has very few enzymes to break down ingested proteins and does not make any acid.

In the first milking, the colostrum passes through the the stomach and the intestine of the calf without being broken down. Between 6-8 hours after birth, the calf begins to absorb and transport biologically active substances into the bloodstream. Then the stomach begins to acidify as well as enzymes begin to appear. The calf is born with lymphoid tissue that is well-developed which absorbs many biological active substances when the calf milks.

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