Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T11:28:52.388Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Colour measurement of colostrum for estimation of colostral IgG and colostrum composition in dairy cows

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 September 2014

Josef J Gross
Affiliation:
Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, CH-3001 Bern, Switzerland
Evelyne C Kessler
Affiliation:
Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, CH-3001 Bern, Switzerland
Rupert M Bruckmaier*
Affiliation:
Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, CH-3001 Bern, Switzerland
*
*For correspondence; e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Instruments for on-farm determination of colostrum quality such as refractometers and densimeters are increasingly used in dairy farms. The colour of colostrum is also supposed to reflect its quality. A paler or mature milk-like colour is associated with a lower colostrum value in terms of its general composition compared with a more yellowish and darker colour. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between colour measurement of colostrum using the CIELAB colour space (CIE L*=from white to black, a*=from red to green, b*=from yellow to blue, chroma value G=visual perceived colourfulness) and its composition. Dairy cow colostrum samples (n=117) obtained at 4·7±1·5 h after parturition were analysed for immunoglobulin G (IgG) by ELISA and for fat, protein and lactose by infrared spectroscopy. For colour measurements, a calibrated spectrophotometer was used. At a cut-off value of 50 mg IgG/ml, colour measurement had a sensitivity of 50·0%, a specificity of 49·5%, and a negative predictive value of 87·9%. Colostral IgG concentration was not correlated with the chroma value G, but with relative lightness L*. While milk fat content showed a relationship to the parameters L*, a*, b* and G from the colour measurement, milk protein content was not correlated with a*, but with L*, b*, and G. Lactose concentration in colostrum showed only a relationship with b* and G. In conclusion, parameters of the colour measurement showed clear relationships to colostral IgG, fat, protein and lactose concentration in dairy cows. Implementation of colour measuring devices in automatic milking systems and milking parlours might be a potential instrument to access colostrum quality as well as detecting abnormal milk.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Proprietors of Journal of Dairy Research 2014 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Argüello, A, Castro, N & Capote, J 2005 Short Communication: evaluation of a color method for testing immunoglobulin G concentration in goat colostrum. Journal of Dairy Science 88 17521754 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
ASTM D2244-11 2011 Standard practice for calculation of color tolerances and color differences from instrumentally measured color coordinates. ASTM International DOI: 10.1520/D2244-11 Google Scholar
Brandt, M, Haeussermann, A & Hartung, E 2010 Invited review: technical solutions for analysis of milk constituents and abnormal milk. Journal of Dairy Science 93 427436 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Butler, JE 1981 A concept of humoral immunity among ruminants and an approach to its investigation. In The Ruminationimmune System, pp. 355 (Ed. Butler, JE). New York: Plenum (Advances in experimental medicine and biology, Vol. 137).Google Scholar
Calderón, F, Chauveau-Duriot, B, Martin, B, Graulet, B, Doreau, M & Nozière, P 2007 Variations in carotenoids, vitamins A and E, and color in cow's plasma and milk during late pregnancy and the first three months of lactation. Journal of Dairy Science 90 23352346 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chigerwe, M, Tyler, JW, Middleton, JR, Spain, JN, Dill, JS & Steevens, BJ 2008 Comparison of four methods to assess colostral IgG concentration in dairy cows. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 233 761766 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fleenor, WA & Stott, GH 1980 Hydrometer test for estimation of immunoglobulin concentration in bovine colostrum. Journal of Dairy Science 63 973977 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gross, JJ, Kessler, EC & Bruckmaier, RM 2013 Suitability of refractometer and densimeter for on-farm determination of colostrum quality in dairy cows and heifers. Journal of Animal Science 91(E-Suppl. 2)/Journal of Dairy Science 96(E-Suppl. 1) 325, W296. AbstractGoogle Scholar
Gross, JJ, Kessler, EC, Bjerre-Harpoth, V, Dechow, C, Baumrucker, CR & Bruckmaier, RM 2014 Peripartal progesterone and prolactin have little effect on the rapid transport of immunoglobulin G into colostrum of dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 97 29232931 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jaster, EH 2005 Evaluation of quality, quantity, and timing of colostrum feeding on immunoglobulin G1 absorption in Jersey calves. Journal of Dairy Science 88 296302 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Madsen, BD, Rasmussen, MD, Nielsen, MO, Wiking, L & Larsen, LB 2004 Physical properties of mammary secretions in relation to chemical changes during transition from colostrum to milk. Journal of Dairy Research 71 263272 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mechor, GD, Gröhn, YT, McDowell, LR & Van Saun, RJ 1992 Specific gravity of bovine colostrum immunoglobulins as affected by temperature and colostrum components. Journal of Dairy Science 75 31313135 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Morin, DE, Constable, PD, Maunsell, FP & McCoy, GC 2001 Factors associated with colostral specific gravity in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 84 937943 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nozière, P, Graulet, B, Lucas, A, Martin, B, Grolier, P & Doreau, M 2006 Carotenoids for ruminants: from forages to dairy products. Animal Feed Science and Technology 131 418450 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pritchett, LC, Gay, CC, Hancock, DD & Besser, TE 1994 Evaluation of the hydrometer for testing immunoglobulin G1 concentrations in Holstein colostrum. Journal of Dairy Science 77 17611767 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Quigley, JD, Martin, KR, Dowlen, HH, Wallis, LB & Lamar, K 1994 Immunoglobulin concentration, specific gravity, and nitrogen fractions of colostrum from Jersey cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 77 264269 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Quigley, JD, Lago, A, Chapman, C, Erickson, P & Polo, J 2013 Evaluation of the Brix refractometer to estimate immunoglobulin G concentration in bovine colostrum. Journal of Dairy Science 96 11481155 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Quinones, HJ, Barbano, DM & Philips, LG 1998 Influence of protein standardization by ultrafiltration on the viscosity, color, and sensory properties of 2 and 3·3% milks. Journal of Dairy Science 81 884894 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Solah, VA, Staines, V, Honda, S & Limley, HA 2007 Measurement of milk color and composition: effect of dietary intervention on Western Australian Holstein-Friesian cow's milk quality. Journal of Food Science 72 S560S566 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tyler, JW, Hancock, DD, Parish, SM, Rea, DE, Besser, TE, Sanders, SG & Wilson, LK 1996 Evaluation of 3 assays for failure of passive transfer in calves. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 10 304307 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tyler, JW, Hancock, DD, Thorne, JG, Gay, CC & Gay, JM 1999 Partitioning the mortality risk associated with inadequate passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins in dairy calves. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 13 335337 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed