Editing Colostrum (section)

=== Use in animal husbandry ===
Colostrum is beneficial for newborn farm animals.  They receive no passive transfer of immunity via the placenta before birth, so any antibodies that they need have to be either ingested or supplied by injection or other artificial means. The ingested antibodies are absorbed from the intestine of the neonate.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Balfour WE, Comline RS | title = Acceleration of the absorption of unchanged globulin in the new-born calf by factors in colostrum | journal = The Journal of Physiology | volume = 160 | issue = 2 | pages = 234–257 | date = February 1962 | pmid = 16992118 | pmc = 1359530 | doi = 10.1113/jphysiol.1962.sp006844 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Bush LJ, Staley TE | title = Absorption of colostral immunoglobulins in newborn calves | journal = Journal of Dairy Science | volume = 63 | issue = 4 | pages = 672–680 | date = April 1980 | pmid = 6991559 | doi = 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(80)82989-4 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Staley TE, Bush LJ | title = Receptor mechanisms of the neonatal intestine and their relationship to immunoglobulin absorption and disease | journal = Journal of Dairy Science | volume = 68 | issue = 1 | pages = 184–205 | date = January 1985 | pmid = 3884680 | doi = 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(85)80812-2 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Jensen AR, Elnif J, Burrin DG, Sangild PT | title = Development of intestinal immunoglobulin absorption and enzyme activities in neonatal pigs is diet dependent | journal = The Journal of Nutrition | volume = 131 | issue = 12 | pages = 3259–3265 | date = December 2001 | pmid = 11739877 | doi = 10.1093/jn/131.12.3259 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Sawyer M, Willadsen CH, Osburn BI, McGuire TC | title = Passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins from ewe to lamb and its influence on neonatal lamb mortality | journal = Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association | volume = 171 | issue = 12 | pages = 1255–1259 | date = December 1977 | pmid = 604324 }}</ref> Maximum absorption of colostral antibodies by the newborn animal occurs within 4 hours<ref>{{cite web | url=https://beef.unl.edu/beefwatch/2022/colostrum-101/ | title=How colostrum works, why calves need it, and what to do if they aren't getting it &#124; UNL Beef &#124; Nebraska }}</ref> or thirty minutes of birth.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Pakkanen R, Aalto J |title=Growth Factors and Antimicrobial Factors of Bovine Colostrum |journal=International Dairy Journal |year=1997 |volume=7 |pages=285–297 |doi=10.1016/S0958-6946(97)00022-8 |issue=5 }}</ref>
 
The role of colostrum for newborn animals is to provide nutrition, and protect against infection while the immune and digestive systems are developing and maturing. Bovine colostrum provides macro- and micro-nutrients, as well as growth factors, cytokines, nucleosides, oligosaccharides, natural antimicrobials, antioxidants; and a range of immunoglobulins such as IgG, IgA, IgD, IgM and IgE. Minimal levels of IgG are essential to prevent failure of passive transfer. The iron-binding glycoproteins lactoferrin and transferrin in bovine colostrum assist in attacking pathogens by impacting their cell membrane and making them more susceptible to the immune systems attack by neutrophils. Cytokines in bovine colostrum enhance B and T cell maturation and increase endogenous antibody production. They also help regulate epithelial cell growth and development, proliferation, and restitution. Transfer factors enhance the activity of T cells. Other growth and immune factors such as IGF-1, IGF-2, FGF, EGF, TGF, PDGF, etc.

Bovine Colostrum contains bioactive components that support immunity and gut health in animals, and fight bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Early, high-quality colostrum is beneficial for survival and healthy development. It repairs intestinal damage and improves nutrient absorption. In calves, colostrum helps develop their gut and prevents death. It reduces infections, antibiotic use, and diarrhea, leading to faster growth and higher profits for farmers.