Composition of Colostrum from Goats, Ewes and Cows Producing Twins

Colostra from 11 single- and 7 twin-lambing Hungarian merino ewes, 6 single- and 4 twin-dropping Hungarian white goats and 32 single- and 32 twin-calving Hungaro-Friesian and Holstein-Friesian cows were analysed for dry matter, total protein, true protein, whey protein, true whey protein, immunoglobulin-G, casein, amino acid composition, biological value, micro- and macro elements and non-protein nitrogen content as a function of time post-partum. The first milked colostrum of the twin-producing animals contained significantly more dry matter, total protein, true protein, whey protein, true whey protein and immunoglobulin-G than that of mothers with single progeny. For cows, the biological value of protein was higher in colostrum samples from twin-bearing cows than in those from single- bearing cows. The NPN content was higher in the colostrum from cows producing a single calf. There were no differences in casein content or contents of macro- and micro-elements for any of the three species. Twenty-four hours after parturition, no differences in composition of colostrum were found. Furthermore, the sex of progeny of twin-calving cows had no influence on the composition of colostrum.