Composition of sow colostrum and milk - The Gestating and Lactating Sow - page 199

Selenium has been linked to innate and adaptive immune responses in animals (Salman
et al. , 2009). Concentrations of selenium are higher in colostrum than in milk (Table
9.6). The decline in selenium concentrations in mammary secretions occurs within the
initial 2 to 3 d postpartum (Kim and Mahan, 2001; Loudenslager et al. , 1986; Quesnel et
al. , 2008). Selenium concentrations in mammary secretions can be increased by dietary
supplementation of the mineral, and organic forms of selenium used in supplementation
of the diet are more effective at increasing colostrum and milk selenium concentrations
than inorganic forms (Kim and Mahan, 2001; Mahan, 2000; Mahan and Peters, 2004;
Quesnel et al. , 2008; Yoon and McMillan, 2006; Zhan et al. , 2011). Selenium concentrations
in mammary secretions decline with increasing parity up to the fourth lactation, even
when the diet is supplemented with inorganic forms of selenium (Mahan and Peters
2004). However, supplementation with organic selenium seems to counter this effect
of parity on selenium concentrations in sow milk (Mahan and Peters 2004). Dietary
supplementation of selenium to lactating sows may enhance the microbicidal activity of
milk polymorphonuclear neutrophils (Wuryastuti et al. , 1993).

9.10 Vitamins

Average concentrations of several vitamins in sow colostrum and milk are summarized
in Table 9.7. Vitamin A concentration in sow colostrum (within the first 12 h after
parturition) is high relative to milk. Estimates of vitamin A in colostrum range from
0.74 µg/ml (using 1 I.U. = 0.3 µg retinol; Braude et al. , 1946) to 1.81 µg/ml (Elliott et al. ,
1971). Concentration of vitamin A remains elevated through day 3 of lactation relative to
concentrations later in lactation, corresponding to the increased fat content of mammary

Table 9.7. Average and range of reported concentrations of some vitamins in sow colostrum and milk.

Colostrum 1 References 2

Milk

µg/ml (day) 3

Vitamin µg/ml Range range

A 1.14 0.474-1.81 0.48 (d 4-60) 0.15-0.92 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14

D 0.015 0.006 (d 21-60) 0.003-0.009 4, 6

E 10.0 3.2-23.3 2.6 (d 16-60) 1.2-3.9 6, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19

C 190 64-306 94 (d 15-60) 45-130 1, 2,6, 8, 9, 11

Thiamin 0.83 0.50-1.45 0.74 (d 10-56) 0.68-0.80 1, 2, 8, 18

Riboflavin 2.64 0.45-6.50 1.28 (d 10-56) 0.46-2.1 1, 2, 8, 18

1 Defined as within 12 h of parturition.
2 References: 1 = Bowland, 1966; 2 = Bowland et al., 1951; 3 = Braude et al., 1947; 4 = Braude et al., 1946; 5 = Coffey et al., 1982; 6 = Csapo et al.,
1996; 7 = Dever et al., 2011; 8 = Elliott et al., 1971; 9 = Heidebrecht et al., 1951; 10 = Heying et al., 2013; 11 = Hidiroglou and Batra, 1995; 12 =
Lauridsen and Danielsen, 2004; 13 = Lauridsen et al., 2002; 14 = Lauridsen and Jensen, 2005; 15 = Loudenslager et al., 1986; 16 = Mahan, 1991;
17 = Mahan et al., 2000; 18 = Neuhaus, 1961; 19 = Pinelli-Saavedra et al., 2008.
3 Inclusive period of lactation from which reported data was used to calculate the average concentration.