Variation of Lactoferrin and Total Immunoglobulin G Concentrations in Colostrum from Canadian Holstein Dairy Cattle Classified as High, Average or Low Immune Responders

Abstract Text: The objective of this study was to investigate phenotypic profiles of lactoferrin (LF) and total immunoglobulin G (IgG) in colostrum from Canadian Holsteins (n=87) previously classified as having High, Average or Low immune responses. A general linear model was used to account for parity, barn and first milking volume. Preliminary results show that High Immune Response (HIR) cows have significantly (P<0.05) greater concentrations of LF and total IgG in colostrum compared to Low Immune Response cows. These findings suggest that HIR cows produce colostrum of enhanced quality. Colostrum from these cows may mediate superior passive immunity in calves and also provide innovative ingredients for incorporation into functional foods and formulation of nutraceuticals to enhance human and animal health.

Keywords: immune response, colostrum quality, bioactive component