COLOSTRUM: Nature’s gift to newborn cattle

The well-being of newborn cattle, like all other baby mammals, is affected by many factors during the first 24 to 36 hours after its birth.

Nature, however, has a ready defense, the first fluid coming from the mother mammal’s breast after the time of birth. Colostrum strengthens the newborn’s immune defenses. It is the only life-giving fluid helping animal offspring to survive the terms of physiological transitions and adaptations. It differs markedly from the milk secreted in established lactation. It is nature’s way–through the mother–of giving natural protection to the baby mammal and passing immunity from one generation to the next.

The factors that affect the health of a newborn that are well taken care of by colostrum are:

The first one, which may modify the animal’s physiological status, is traumatic birth experience. Second is the biochemical and metabolic adaptations required by the transition from existing in aquatic environment inside its mother’s womb to a terrestrial world after parturition or birth into the outside world.

The third factor is the sudden change from being an inanimate and warm parasitic being (dependent on predigested food from its mother’s blood supply through the placenta) to an independently functioning organism in a world where it must digest, absorb and utilize an external food supply using its own digestive, respiratory and excretory systems. The fourth one is the specific and natural biochemical need for continued rapid growth, development and physiological functions of the separate organs and tissues.

The importance of colostrum to the newborn mammal has been known for thousands of years. Numerous scientific studies have established that colostrum is effective against a wide range of harmful microorganisms including various strains of bacteria, viruses and yeasts.

The benefits of colostrum for the newborn calf is known to most cattle breeders and ranchers. Without sufficient intake of colostrum, which is loaded with disease-fighting antibodies, the young calf’s chances of survival is reduced and as the probability of disease and infection is increased.

Dr. David Tyrell in his book "The Immunology of Infant Feeding" demonstrates that the major benefit of the immune factors in colostrum occurs within the lumen (a passageway in the inner cavity of a tubular gland) and on the wall of the intestines and bronchi. This information is particularly significant because the majority of benefits from the colostrum’s immune factor are actually also available to humans of all ages.

Joseph J. Smarda, a Canadian chemical scientist, explains the animal’s own defense system.

"First of all, antibodies have to be made and this happens by a process when a lymphocyte floating through the system touches the bacteria, then goes back to the lymph glands and touches B-cells. There are B-cells and T-cells, both of which are lymphocytes. B-cells come from the bone marrow and T-cells come from the thymus gland. The former make the antibodies and the latter are the fighters.

As the lymphocyte touches the B-cells, they make specific antibodies The antibodies, in turn, go to the invading bacteria, attach themselves to the bacteria; when the lymphocytes or T-cells come, the battle begins.

If there are enough antibodies to attract enough lymphocytes, then the bacteria are destroyed. But because of the time involved to get all these done, what is called "the delayed immune response" occurs. In the case of dairy cow, before the T-cells or fighter cells get there to fight the bacteria, damage to the udder has already occurred; or in more extreme cases the animal dies."

This is where colostrum antibodies fit into the picture. By giving the infected animal the antibodies in colostrum, it will shorten the time gap of the animal’s "delayed immune response" giving the animal time to build its antibodies.

There are now various formulations of colostrum products available commercially for cattle breeders, stock improvement ranchers, feedlot operators, cattle ranchers, dairy farmers, veterinarians and transport companies handling cattle.

Colostrum is collected from veterinary-inspected cows and through special process, a sterile dried colostrum whey is produced without the use of heat to ensure that none of the disease-fighting antibodies and other valuable nutrients and fractions are destroyed.

Colostrum, particularly its immunological properties is needed by the newbron which must clear its alimentary tract of mecomium for its own digestive, respiratory and urinary systems to function normally. It has unique properties as food because it provides specific amounts and proportions of the nutritional requirements of the offspring

In review , the fractions found in colostrum that make it so important in raising beef and dairy cattle include:

•Immunoglobulins or antibodies–a passive immunity passed on through colostrum milk. For every disease that the mother is exposed to she builds up antibodies against the disease and passes them on to the newborn. The antibodies are also helpful in fighting toxins and poisons in the system;

• Apart from the antibodies, there are antibody-formulating factors that are not only helpful to the newborn but also to the adults that help trigger their own immune systems into action. It is for this reason that many breeders give colostrum to pregnant cow about 10 days before giving birth;

•There also hormones in colostrum. The master hormones which are estrogenic control and regulate other hormones–reducing swelling, relieving pain, and giving hormones that help relieve retained placentas and many other hormones;

•Vitamins, the most prominent of which are Vitamins A, B12 and E;

•Nucleotides, growth factors, five-carbon molecules, plus other factors that control the genetic makeup;.

• Enzymes, principally killer enzymes that destroy certain bacteria;

• Other various factions , classified as interferons that destroy disease-causing microorganisms.

The body’s immune system, magnificent as it is does have some shortcomings. Survival is a very powerful force in nature. In the case of colostrum mother nature is on your side.