Comparative analysis of red deer milk proteins throughout lactation using quantitative proteomics

Area of Science:

• Dairy Science
• Proteomics
• Animal Nutrition

Background:

• Red deer milk is recognized for superior nutritional content compared to other ruminant milks.
• Understanding the dynamic changes in milk protein composition is crucial for assessing its value.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively analyze the proteome of red deer milk across different lactation stages.
• To identify proteins with significant quantitative variations throughout lactation.
• To elucidate the functional roles of these proteins in supporting fawn development.

Main Methods:

• Milk samples collected from 120 does at 8 lactation points.
• Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for protein identification.
• Bioinformatics and regression analysis for quantitative changes and functional annotation.

Main Results:

• Identified 73 proteins in red deer milk, with 9 previously unknown.
• Observed significant variations in 27 proteins throughout lactation.
• Highlighted roles of osteopontin and lactotransferrin in immune function and nutrient transport proteins.

Conclusions:

• Red deer milk exhibits a complex and dynamic proteome crucial for fawn physiology.
• This research provides foundational insights into the red deer milk proteome, supporting its potential in food and cosmetic applications.
• Represents the most thorough proteomic analysis of red deer milk to date.