The impact of colostrum intake on the serum protein electrophoretic pattern in newborn ruminants

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of colostrum intake on the serum protein electrophoretic pattern in clinically healthy calves, lambs and kids during the first two weeks of life, as well as differences in the protein profile between these species of ruminants. The study included three groups of clinically healthy calves (n = 12), lambs (n = 10) and kids (n = 7). The first blood sampling was performed before the colostrum intake (day 0) and then at 1, 2, 7 and 14 days of age. Blood serum was analysed for the concentrations of total proteins, serum protein electrophoretic fractions and albumin/globulin ratio. Serum protein electrophoresis identified in calves 6 (albumin, α1-, α2-, β1-, β2-, and γ-globulins) and in lambs and kids 5 (albumin, α1-, α2-, β- and γ-globulins) distinct bands. Significant changes were observed in the analysed parameters during the evaluated period in all groups of ruminants. Except of the concentration of total proteins in precolostral serum significant differences in the results were found also between ruminant species. The present study showed significant effect of colostrum intake on concentrations of total proteins and also relative and absolute concentrations of the major of protein fractions in all evaluated species of young ruminants. The results, analysis of which began already in precolostral time, indicate that colostrum feeding is the starting point for significant changes in protein profile in ruminant neonates followed by longer-lasting changes in the following days and weeks of their life.