Editing Colostrum (section)

{{short description|Form of milk produced immediately following the delivery of newborn}}
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[[File:Colostrum vs breastmilk.jpg|thumb|On the left is breast milk of the human expressed on day 4 of [[lactation]], and on the right is [[breast milk]] expressed on day 8.  Colostrum gives the milk a yellowish hue]]
[[File:Bovine colostrum and spray-dried colostrum powder.jpg|thumb|[[Bovine]] colostrum ('''beestings''') next to spray-dried colostrum powder]]
'''Colostrum''' ({{etymology|la}}, of unknown origin) is the first form of [[milk]] produced by the [[mammary gland]]s of humans and other [[mammal]]s immediately following delivery of the newborn.<ref name="Ballard_2013">{{cite journal | vauthors = Ballard O, Morrow AL | title = Human milk composition: nutrients and bioactive factors | journal = Pediatric Clinics of North America | volume = 60 | issue = 1 | pages = 49–74 | date = February 2013 | pmid = 23178060 | pmc = 3586783 | doi = 10.1016/j.pcl.2012.10.002 | department = Review }}</ref> Animal colostrum may be called '''beestings''', the traditional word from [[Old English]] dialects.<ref name="Collins">{{cite web |title=Beestings |url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/beestings |access-date=29 December 2022}}</ref>  Most species will begin to generate colostrum just prior to giving birth. Colostrum contains [[Antibody|antibodies]] to protect the newborn against disease and infection, and immune and growth factors and other [[bioactive compounds|bioactives]]. The bioactives found in colostrum are beneficial for a newborn's health, growth and vitality.<ref name="Ballard_2013" />  Colostrum strengthens a baby's immune system.

At birth, the environment of the newborn mammal shifts from the sterile conditions of the mother's [[uterus]], with a constant nutrient supply via the [[placenta]], to the microbe-rich environment outside, with irregular oral intake of complex milk nutrients through the [[gastrointestinal tract]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Sangild PT, Thymann T, Schmidt M, Stoll B, Burrin DG, Buddington RK | title = Invited review: the preterm pig as a model in pediatric gastroenterology | journal = Journal of Animal Science | volume = 91 | issue = 10 | pages = 4713–4729 | date = October 2013 | pmid = 23942716 | pmc = 3984402 | doi = 10.2527/jas.2013-6359 | department = Review }}</ref> This transition puts high demands on the gastrointestinal tract of the [[neonate]], as the gut plays an important part in both the digestive system and the immune system.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Newburg DS, Walker WA | title = Protection of the neonate by the innate immune system of developing gut and of human milk | journal = Pediatric Research | volume = 61 | issue = 1 | pages = 2–8 | date = January 2007 | pmid = 17211132 | doi = 10.1203/01.pdr.0000250274.68571.18 | doi-access = free | department = Review }}</ref> Colostrum contributes significantly to initial [[immunology|immunological]] defense as well as to the growth, development, and maturation of the neonate's gastrointestinal tract by providing key nutrients and bioactive factors. [[Bovine]] colostrum powder is rich in [[protein]] and low in [[sugar]] and fat.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Stelwagen K, Carpenter E, Haigh B, Hodgkinson A, Wheeler TT | title = Immune components of bovine colostrum and milk | journal = Journal of Animal Science | volume = 87 | issue = 13 Suppl | pages = 3–9 | date = April 2009 | pmid = 18952725 | doi = 10.2527/jas.2008-1377 | department = Review }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Rathe M, Müller K, Sangild PT, Husby S | title = Clinical applications of bovine colostrum therapy: a systematic review | journal = Nutrition Reviews | volume = 72 | issue = 4 | pages = 237–254 | date = April 2014 | pmid = 24571383 | doi = 10.1111/nure.12089 | doi-access = free | department = Review }}</ref> Bovine colostrum can also be used for nonorganic [[failure to thrive]] in children and acute non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced increase in intestinal permeability in males<ref name = "Ramani_2024" /> and can boost a neonate's immunity.<ref name="Kaplan">{{cite journal | vauthors = Kaplan M, Arslan A, Duman H, Karyelioğlu M, Baydemir B, Günar BB, Alkan M, Bayraktar A, Tosun Hİ, Ertürk M, Eskici G, Duar RM, Henrick BM, Frese SA, Karav S | title = Production of Bovine Colostrum for Human Consumption to Improve Health | journal = Frontiers in Pharmacology | volume = 12 | pages = 796824 | date = 2022 | pmid = 35046820 | pmc = 8762312 | doi = 10.3389/fphar.2021.796824 | doi-access = free | department = Review }}</ref>

Colostrum also has a mild [[laxative]] effect, encouraging the passing of a baby's first [[Human feces|stool]], which is called [[meconium]].<ref name="nhsuk1">{{cite web | vauthors = Horn K | date = September 2017 |title=Colostrum harvesting |url=https://www.jpaget.nhs.uk/media/367596/MI-27-Colostrum-Harvesting-llt-v2-web.pdf |access-date=29 December 2022 | work = James Paget University Hospitals NHS }}</ref>  This clears excess [[bilirubin]], a waste-product of dead [[red blood cell]]s which is produced in large quantities at birth due to blood volume reduction{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} from the infant's body, and which is often responsible for [[jaundice]].

Research on possible health benefits and medical applications of bovine colostrum is ongoing. Currently, there is no accepted medical use of bovine colostrum to treat any condition.