Effect of Environment‐ and Animal‐Based Factors on the Main Components and Bioactive Substances in Buffalo Colostrum and Calf Serum

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of some environment- and animal-based factors, such as body condition score (BCS) on 15-20 days before parturition, parity, and calving season on colostrum dry matter (DM), fat, solids-nonfat (SNF), protein, and lactose contents as well as colostrum and calf's serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, and IgM), IGF-1, and lactoferrin concentrations in buffaloes. Therefore, the components of colostrum (at the first milking) and calf serum samples (at 24-48 h and 28 days after birth) from 86 Anatolian buffalo cows were analyzed by an infrared milk analyzer and ELISA test. The high BCS enhanced colostrum DM, fat, and IgG content; calf serum IgG concentration at 24-48 h, and lactoferrin at 28 days compared to low BCS. At 28 days, the serum IgA and IgM concentrations were higher in the calves of cows with a parity of 2 and 4, respectively, compared to other parities. The colostrum SNF and protein percentage in summer were higher than that in autumn but not in winter and spring. In conclusion, a high BCS could ensure successful passive immunity transfer in buffalo calves by improving the studied colostrum and calf serum parameters, which are affected by parity and calving season.