Proteinogram and Immunological Profile of Colostrum and Milk From Gir (Bos indicus) Primiparous and Multiparous Cows and Their Impact on Passive Immune Transfer.

Abstract

We aimed to evaluate the influence of parity in Dairy Gir cows on physicochemical composition, protein content, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations in colostrum and milk, as well as the efficiency of passive immunity transfer to Gir calves. Colostrum, transition milk, and mature milk were sampled from primiparous (n = 12) and multiparous (n = 16) Gir cows to determine density, total solids, pH, milk serum IgG, and the proteinogram (lactoferrin, albumin, heavy and light-chain IgG, β-lactoglobulin, and α-lactalbumin). Blood was collected from 3-day-old calves to evaluate total solids, liver panel, and IgG. Colostrum from primiparous cows had higher density and total solids than that of multiparous cows; however, calf IgG concentrations were higher in the multiparous group. Colostrum IgG and α-lactalbumin concentrations were higher in multiparous than in primiparous cows. Albumin concentration progressively decreased during the transition from colostrum to mature milk in primiparous cows, whereas the multiparous group showed a sharp decrease from transition milk to mature milk. In conclusion, multiparous Gir cows produce higher quality colostrum and have more efficient passive immune transfer, in addition to a distinct density and protein profile. Thus, the later puberty in Zebu cattle, which could influence colostrum quality and immune transfer, was not confirmed for primiparous Gir cows.