Editing Colostrum (section)

=== Use in companion animals ===
{{Unreferenced section|date = May 2023}}
Much like in humans and production animals, [[companion animal]] survival in the newborn stage of life is largely dependent upon colostrum. Companion animal immune systems require several weeks to several months in order to fully develop. Maternal antibodies provide benefit for a relatively short period of time so a gap exists with immune sufficiency where an animal is at risk of infection. Like humans, companion animal immune response changes with age where early life and later in life have similarities. That is, an immune bias whereby the animal has less of an ability to fend off infections and greater prevalence of allergy at both ends of the age spectrum. Stress also affects a companion animal's immune system including changes in environment, diet, etc. Maintaining gut microbial balance is key to maintaining a healthy immune system as well as mucosal integrity, similar to humans, demonstrated to benefit companion animal immunity and digestive health.

In humans, bovine colostrum plays a role in increasing Ig levels, increasing lymphocyte proliferation stimulating activity and increasing phagocytosis activity. These are supported by other components of colostrum which further enhance the activity of the immune response. 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 present in bovine colostrum enhance B and T cell maturation and increase endogenous antibody production. They also play a major role in regulation of epithelial cell growth and development, proliferation, 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. Colostrum contains [[glycomacropeptide]]s which help to regulate appetite. Studies<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Duan H, Sun Q, Chen C, Wang R, Yan W | title = A Review: The Effect of Bovine Colostrum on Immunity in People of All Ages | journal = Nutrients | volume = 16 | issue = 13 | pages = 2007 | date = June 2024 | pmid = 38999755 | pmc = 11242949 | doi = 10.3390/nu16132007 | doi-access = free }}</ref> suggest that bovine colostrum may enhance animal immunity, improve gut health, and lower the risk of illness.