Dynamics of changes in contents of organic and inorganic substances in sheep colostrum within the first 72 h after parturition

The colostrum of 10 crossbred (F111) ewes (East-Frisian×ImprovedValachian breeds) (EF87IV) on the second and subsequent lactations was sampled in January–March at intervals of 2, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 h after parturition.Within 2–72 h postpartum the concentrations of non-essential amino acids (NEAA—Asp, Ser, Glu, Pro, Gly, Ala and Tyr), essential amino acids (EAA—Thr, Val, Ile, Leu, Phe, His, Lys, Arg, Cys, Met and Trp) and mineral substances Ca, P and Mg decreased; the highest levels were monitored between 2 and 12 h postpartum. After that the changes in the concentrations were much lower. The Na content also decreased, but only to a small extent and the decrease was slow. In contrast, the K concentration slightly increased. In terms of the minor elements, most marked was the decrease in the Zn level; Cu and Fe concentrations decreased slowly and relatively little, the Se content began to decrease 48 h after parturition and the Mn content remained virtually unchanged over the entire period of the investigations. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved