Total protein, selected protein fractions and chemical elements in the colostrum and milk of mares (Short Communication)

Abstract. The study material consisted of the colostrum and milk of five noble half-blood mares housed under the same environmental conditions. Colostrum samples were collected 24 h after foaling, whereas milk samples were taken five times, every 30 days, with the first sampling on lactation day 30 (1st month). In the samples were determined the concentrations of total protein, pre-albumins, albumins, α- and β-globulins, immunoglobulins and calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn). The presence of pre-albumins was observed only in mare colostrum. Total protein concentration was at the same level in the colostrum and in the milk in the 1st lactation month, whereas protein fraction concentrations underwent dynamic changes during the 1st month of lactation. When compared to the values determined in the colostrum, the level of α-globulins increased 8 times during lactation, whereas that of immunoglobulins decreased almost 4 times. The highest concentrations of Ca, Mg and Zn were found in mare colostrum, with a decrease in the concentration of all chemical elements in the 1st month of lactation, confirmed statistically in case of Mg and Zn.