Changes in contents of some macro- and microelements in goat’s colostrum within the first 72 h after parturition

Colostrum of five Brown Shorthaired goats in the second and subsequent lactation was sampled at intervals of 2, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 h after parturition within the period of February–March. Concentrations of macroelements (Na, K, Ca, Mg, and P) and microelements (Zn and Se) were estimated using the apparatus SPECTRAL AA 30 (Varian). Concentration of Na fluctuated only slightly (2 and 72 h postpartum the values were 19.55 ± 3.07 and 18.93 ± 3.32 mmol l−1, resp.) while those of K and Ca increased from 32.63 ± 6.91 to 42.23 ± 4.83 mmol l−1 and from 26.53 ± 5.34 to 36.67 ± 5.53 mmol l−1, resp. Concentrations of P and Mg decreased from 35.40 ± 7.92 to 2.31 ± 6.46 mmol l−1 and from 5.32 ± 1.21 to 3.10 ± 0.46 mmol l−1, resp. Within the same time interval, concentrations of microelements Zn and Se decreased markedly from 106.07 ± 24.63 to 61.38 ± 7.47 mol l−1 and from 13.73 ± 2.26 to 7.38 ± 0.94 g l−1, resp. These results extend and supplement data about the content of mineral substances in colostrum of Brown Shorthaired goats under conditions of the Czech Republic. © 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.