Factors affecting growth factor activity in goat milk
1Animal Science Department, National Ilan University, Ilan 26047, Taiwan. fuywu@niu.edu.tw
Journal of Dairy Science
|May 17, 2006
Summary
Nubian goat milk contains high growth factor activity, beneficial for digestive health. Pregnant Nubian does produce milk with the highest growth factor levels, ideal for nutraceutical development.
Area of Science:
- Dairy Science
- Nutraceutical Development
- Gastrointestinal Health
Background:
- Goat milk's traditional use for digestive health is linked to growth factors.
- Developing nutraceuticals requires milk with consistent, high growth factor activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate factors influencing growth factor activity in goat milk.
- Identify optimal conditions for collecting milk rich in growth factors.
Main Methods:
- Compared growth factor activity across five goat breeds.
- Analyzed milk from pregnant and postpartum does.
- Monitored activity throughout lactation and after mating.
- Correlated activity with milk yield, somatic cell count, and conductivity.
Main Results:
- Nubian goats exhibited the highest growth factor activity.
- Milk from pregnant does showed significantly higher activity.
- Activity decreased in early lactation, then increased post-mating.
- Post-mating, activity correlated with somatic cell count and conductivity.
Conclusions:
- Nubian goat milk, particularly from pregnant does, is a promising source of growth factors.
- Selective collection strategies can optimize nutraceutical production for gastrointestinal health.
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