Change of amino acid profile in Charolais cows’ colostrum and transient milk during the first week post partum

Abstract

In this study the change in amino acid profile in cow’s colostrum and transient milk during the first week after parturition was examined in a Hungarian Charolais herd. Experiments were carried out with n = 37 Charolais cows in the same herd in the spring (March–April) of two consecutive years (Experiment 1: 2002, n = 15; and Experiment 2: 2003, n = 22). Colostrum and milk samples were taken by hand milking immediately after delivery, and in 24, 48, 72, and 168 hours post partum. Amino acid contents (%) in samples were measured in milk protein with an automatic amino acid analyser. Data were processed by the software of SPSS.10 statistical program package. In the postpartal period, among essential amino acids significant increases were recorded in methionine, isoleucine, lysine, and phenylalanine, and among non-essential amino acids glutamic acid and proline increased significantly. Simultaneous decreases were recorded in valine, cysteine, aspartic acid, serine, glycine, and arginine. Inconsistent figures were determined for histidine, leucine, tyrosine, and alanine content between Experiment 1 and Experiment 2.