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Horm Metab Res 2006; 38(2): 89-93
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-925119
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© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Leptin in Bovine Colostrum and Milk

L.  Pinotti1 , F.  Rosi2
  • 1Department of Veterinary Sciences and Technology for Food Safety, Veterinary Faculty, University of Milan
  • 2Istituto di Zootecnia Generale, Facoltà di Agraria, Università di Milano, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Received 17 May 2005

Accepted after revision 23 November 2005

Publication Date:
08 March 2006 (online)

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Abstract

We studied leptin content in bovine colostrum, milk and plasma during the first month of lactation, and investigated relationships between selected milk components and milk leptin in five multiparous dairy cows. Colostrum/milk yield and composition were measured on days 0, 10, 20, and 30 of lactation. Leptin was assayed using a multi-species leptin RIA kit. Leptin concentration was 56 % lower in mature milk (day 10) than colostrum (13.90 vs. 6.14 µg/l; p < 0.001), but remained steady over the twenty days afterwards. Daily secretion of leptin into mature milk was 28 % lower than into colostrum (173.2 µg/d vs. 220.0 µg/d; p = 0.09) notwithstanding an 80 % increase in production. Colostrum and milk leptin levels correlated with fat (0.90; p < 0.001) and choline phospholipid (0.76; p < 0.05). Plasma and milk leptin decreased during the first month, but remained higher in milk, and highest in colostrum. Thus, leptin is present in large quantities in colostrum, less so and more variably in untreated milk, and is likely to be decreased in skimmed milk. These findings have implications for the use of untreated milk and colostrum-based (functional) food products.

Key words

Cow - unprocessed colostrum - unprocessed milk - plasma - leptin

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Dr. Luciano Pinotti

Department of Veterinary Sciences and Technology for Food Safety, Veterinary Faculty · University of Milan

Via Trentacoste 2 · 20134 Milan · Italy

Phone: +39 (02) 50 31 57 56

Fax: +39 (02) 50 31 57 46

Email: luciano.pinotti@unimi.it

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