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Changes in the secretion rate and production of colostrum by ewes over the first 24 h post partum

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

S. E. Pattinson ,
D. A. R. Davies  and
A. C. Winter
S. E. Pattinson
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Clinical Science and Animal Husbandry, University of Liverpool, Veterinary Field Station, Leahurst, Neston, South Wirral L64 7TE
D. A. R. Davies
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Clinical Science and Animal Husbandry, University of Liverpool, Veterinary Field Station, Leahurst, Neston, South Wirral L64 7TE
A. C. Winter
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Clinical Science and Animal Husbandry, University of Liverpool, Veterinary Field Station, Leahurst, Neston, South Wirral L64 7TE
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Abstract

An experiment was conducted to examine the changes in colostrum secretion rate and colostrum composition in ewes over the first 24 h post partum. Sixteen mature Suffolk × Cambridge ewes, which had produced one to four lambs, were used. Colostrum yield was estimated within 1 h of parturition and colostrum secretion rate measured between 3 and 6 h, 9 and 12 h, 15 and 18 h and 21 and 24 h post partum. Samples of colostrum were taken at each milking and the composition analysed. The mean yield (g) of colostrum at 1 h was 801 (s.d. 568·9) with a range from 35 to 2450 g. Mean secretion rates, in g/h, at 3 to 6 h, 9 to 12 h, 15 to 18 h and 21 to 24 h were 120 (s.d. 67·0), 104 (s.d. 55·2), 112 (s.d. 49·8) and 109 (s.d. 41·1) respectively. At 1 h, mean concentrations, in g/l, of total solids, fat, protein, ash and IgG were 367 (s.d. 76·9), 132 (s.d. 43·7), 203 (s.d. 43·2), 9.6 (s.d. 2·4) and 116 (s.d. 30·2) respectively. Corresponding values at 24 h were 242 (s.d. 38·8), 122 (s.d. 39·5), 71 (s.d. 11·2), 6.8 (s.d. 1·0) and 15 (s.d. 12·5).

Sequential samples were taken throughout the milking process within 1 h of paturition from a further eight Dorset-cross ewes. There were no significant differences in the composition of colostrum due to stage of milking, although there was a suggestion that fat content was higher in the final sample than the first (140·1 v. 104·1 g/l, P = 0·084). It is clear that there is a large amount of variation in the secretion rate and composition of colostrum produced by ewes over the first 24 h post partum. However, a single sample taken between 3 and 12 h post partum would be a good indicator of 24 h yield (r = 0·88) and composition (total solids, r = 0·90 and IgG, r = 0·93).

Keywords

colostrumewes
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Science , Volume 61 , Issue 1 , August 1995 , pp. 63 - 68
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1995

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