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Camel (Camelus dromedarius) immunoglobulin G, α-lactalbumin, serum albumin and lactoferrin in colostrum and milk during the early post partum period

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2006

Halima El-Hatmi
Affiliation:
Arid Land Institute, Livestock and Wildlife Laboratory, 4119 Medenine, Tunisia
Annie Levieux
Affiliation:
Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, SRV-Immunochimie, Theix, 63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
Didier Levieux
Affiliation:
Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, SRV-Immunochimie, Theix, 63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France

Abstract

Colostrum and milk samples from twelve Tunisian camels were analysed for concentration of immunoglobulin G (IgG), α-lactalbumin (α-la), serum albumin (CSA) and lactoferrin throughout the first 14 milkings post partum (7 days of lactation) using single radial immunodiffusion assay. Concentrations (mg/ml, means±SD) at first milking were IgG, 100·7±60·4; α-la, 2·2±0·7; CSA, 8·5±3·6 and lactoferrin, 1·2±0·3. Large variations were recorded for IgG and CSA concentrations (11·8–211·1 mg/ml and 2·9–13·8 mg/ml respectively) Concentrations of IgG and CSA dropped abruptly in the subsequent milkings while α-la concentration increased until milking 5 and then decreased slowly. Lactoferrin dropped only from milking 7. Mean IgG concentrations were 3·6 and 2·5 mg/ml at milking 9 and 13 respectively. However, IgG concentration did not differ significantly, at the 1% level, from milkings 11 to 14. The contribution of CSA to the increase in whey proteins in early milks was greater than that described in the bovine and caprine species.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Proprietors of Journal of Dairy Research 2006

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