Effect of postpartum time and season on the physicochemical characteristics of Murciano‐Granadina goat colostrum

Abstract

Changes in the physicochemical composition of Murciano‐Granadina goat colostrum were studied with postpartum time and season. Samples that were taken immediately after partum showed the best characteristics, with the highest concentrations of proteins, solids, urea and immunoglobulin G (IgG). Samples obtained in the spring showed the highest concentration of total IgG at all postpartum times assayed. Exhaustive statistical analysis showed that the physicochemical composition of the colostrum was greatly affected by the postpartum time and only slightly affected by the season. The high protein and total IgG concentrations make goat colostrum an interesting product for uses beyond the traditional ones.