The bovine colostrum and milk metabolome at the onset of lactation as determined by 1H-NMR

Abstract The purpose of this study was to characterise the metabolome of bovine colostrum and milk in the initial days of lactation. Colostrum and milk samples were collected from 18 cows representing an even spread of 1st, 2nd and 3rd lactation (n = 6) over the first 6 days of lactation. Samples were subsequently analysed using 1H-NMR. The metabolome of defatted colostrum and milk in the days immediately post parturition was demonstrated to be complex and changed significantly over time. The colostrum was rich in nutrients beneficial for growth and development of the new-born mammal with significantly higher levels of essential branched chain amino acids and choline and orotic acid that decreased in the subsequent days as milk composition evolved to that of regular milk. Multivariate analysis of metabolome profiles using PLSDA was demonstrated to clearly distinguish between colostrum and subsequent milk samples.