Colostrum - more than immunoglobulins

由于抗体不会在子宫内转移，初乳中的免疫球蛋白(IgG)对确保小牛健康是必不可少的。因此，大多数初乳研究都集中在被动转移免疫球蛋白上。除了免疫球蛋白外，初乳中还含有丰富的生物活性化合物，可能对牛犊的健康和发育具有重要意义。胰岛素是许多生物活性分子之一，与成熟牛奶相比，初乳中胰岛素的浓度要高得多。研究表明，初乳中的胰岛素可以刺激肠道发育，也可能对小牛的生长有有益的影响。然而，人们对胰岛素如何从初乳转移到小牛血液循环知之甚少，这是确定其在小牛肠道发育和犊牛生长中的有益作用的基础。因此，本研究项目的目标是确定初乳中的胰岛素是否通过新生儿的胃肠道，以及它可能如何影响肌肉生长、肠道发育以及代谢物和激素谱。预期的结果包括更好地了解初乳中的生物活性物质，这与我们的行业合作伙伴萨斯卡通初乳公司和艾伯塔牛奶公司具有商业相关性。此外，该项目将包括在农业生物科学领域对三名学生进行培训--这是畜牧农业公司非常需要的一种技能。

Since there is no transfer of antibodies in utero, immunoglobulins (IgG) in colostrum are essential to ensure calf health. For this reason, the majority of colostrum research has focused on the passive transfer of IgG. Apart from IgG, colostrum contains an abundance of bioactive compounds that may be of significance to calf health and development. Insulin is one of many bioactive molecules that is present in much higher concentrations in colostrum compared to mature milk. Research has demonstrated that insulin in colostrum can stimulate gut development and that it may also have beneficial effects on calf growth. Yet, little is known about how insulin transfers from colostrum into calf blood circulation, which is fundamental to determine its beneficial role in calf gut development and calf growth. Therefore, the objective of this research project is to determine if insulin in colostrum crosses the neonatal calf gastrointestinal tract, as well as how it may affect muscle growth, intestinal development, and metabolite and hormone profiles. The expected outcomes includes a greater understanding of bioactives in colostrum which has commercial relevance to our industry partners the Saskatoon Colostrum Company and Alberta Milk. Furthermore, this project will include the training of three students in the field of agricultural biosciences - a skill set in high demand in animal agriculture companies.