Short communication: Goat colostrum quality: litter size and lactation number effects

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Dairy Science
• Goat Husbandry

Background:

• Colostrum quality is crucial for newborn kid health and subsequent milk production.
• Understanding the transition period in dairy goats is essential for determining milk marketing timelines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the physicochemical properties and somatic cell count of Murciano-Granadina goat colostrum.
• To determine the duration of colostrum secretion and the onset of marketable milk production.

Main Methods:

• Collected colostrum samples every 12 hours from 43 Murciano-Granadina goats during the first week postpartum.
• Analyzed physicochemical parameters (e.g., lactose, pH, conductivity) and somatic cell count.
• Utilized analysis of variance with repeated measures to assess factors influencing colostrum quality.

Main Results:

• Postpartum time significantly affected all colostrum parameters; most decreased while lactose, pH, and conductivity increased over the first week.
• Colostrum secretion was identified up to 36 hours postpartum (hpp).
• Lactation number had the most significant impact on colostrum components; litter size affected pH, protein, and lactose; production level influenced protein and dry matter.

Conclusions:

• Colostrum production ceases by 36 hpp, with transition milk occurring between 36 and 96 hpp.
• Milk produced after 96 hpp is suitable for commercialization, posing no risk to the dairy industry.
• Lactation number is a key factor influencing colostrum composition in Murciano-Granadina goats.