Premium
Comparative analysis of sialic acid levels in the colostrum and milk of ruminants: possible role in the passive immunity against neonatal infections
Author(s) -
USEH NICODEMUS M,
OLANIYAN OLABODE A,
NOK ANDREW J
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
international journal of dairy technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.061
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1471-0307
pISSN - 1364-727X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0307.2008.00410.x
Subject(s) - colostrum , sialic acid , passive immunity , zebu , biology , immunity , zoology , physiology , immune system , food science , immunology , antibody , biochemistry
A study was conducted to determine the levels of free sialic acid in the colostrum and milk of apparently healthy indigenous Nigerian ruminants (Zebu cows, Yankassa sheep and Sokoto Red/Kano Brown goats). Haematological investigation indicates that the apparently healthy ruminants were also clinically healthy. The mean free sialic acid concentration in the colostrum of all the animal species examined was higher than those of milk and the difference in each case was statistically significant (P < 0.05) . The significance of the high sialic acid level in colostrum for the immunity of neonates against microbial infections is discussed.