Chemical composition of colostrum from Azawak cow in Niger compared with meta-analytical data

This study aimed at comparing data obtained from Azawak zebu colostrum with literature data. The comparison was performed by a meta-analytical approach. Colostrum samples were hand-collected after 5 h from 7 Azawak cows at calving between August 27, to September 10, 2009 in the Sahel. For data from literature, twenty one (21) references were identified in the following analytical databases: PubMed, Science Direct, Google scholar, Collection from University of Liege. The references were selected according to the following two criteria: i) only studies reported on bovine colostrum were used irrespective of breeds, and ii) among the selected studies, those not providing complete information to allow meta-analytical calculation were excluded. Samples were analyzed for immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA), lactoferrin, and chemical composition (dry mater, protein, fat, lactose, ash, Ca, P, NA, K, Mg). The mean levels of IgG, IgM, dry matter, protein and fat for Azawak cows were lower (P ˂ 0.001) than those obtained in other breeds; however colostrum from the Azawak was higher in IgA but the difference was not significant. For lactose and ash, mean values for Azawak cows were higher (P ˂ 0.001) than those from the literature. Contents of Ca, P, Na and Mg in Azawak bovine colostrum were significantly higher (P ˂ 0.001) than the mean levels in form the literature data. In conclusion, the colostrum from Azawak cows appears to be lower in most immunoglobulins, in fat and in protein than the values reported in the literature, but higher in lactose and minerals. This could be an adaptation to sahelian contraints.