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Concentrations of macro- and micro-elements in the milk of pasture-fed thoroughbred mares.
Abstract: To determine the changes in Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, S, Cu, Fe and Zn concentrations of milk during the lactation in pasture-fed Thoroughbred mares and then calculate the dietary mineral requirements of the sucking foal and the lactating mare. Methods: Milk was sampled on days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and at various times between 55 to 65, 85 to 95 and 135 to 150 days after parturition from 21 pasture-fed mares. The concentrations of macro- and micro-elements in the milk were determined by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry. Results: Concentrations (mg/L) of these elements were highest in colostrum (Mg 302, Na 561, K 955, S 1035, Cu 0.76, Fe 0.79 and Zn 5.5) except for Ca (1245) and P (895), which where highest on day 7. The mean milk mineral element concentrations (mg/L) over days 55 to 150 were Ca 843, P 543, Mg 47, Na 120, K 590, S 219, Cu 0.19, Fe 0.34 and Zn 2.1. The mean plasma element concentrations (mg/L) over the same period were Ca 120, P 77.1, Mg 17.0, Na 3110, K 168, S 983, Cu 1.1, Fe 1.5 and Zn 0.49. Concentration gradients between plasma and milk were observed and, in the case of Ca, P, Mg, K and Zn, their concentrations in milk were greater than those in plasma, while a reverse situation was observed for Na, S, Cu and Fe. Conclusions: With the exception of Ca and P, the highest concentrations of mineral elements were observed in the colostrum. The nursing foal should have access to good pasture or creep feed, because the intakes of Ca, P and Cu from milk may be less than optimum to meet the daily mineral element requirements.
Publication Date: 1999-04-10 PubMed ID: 10197247DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1999.tb11230.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research focuses on examining the changes in the levels of certain macro and micro-elements in the milk of Thoroughbred mares feeding on pasture during lactation. It also aims to determine the dietary mineral needs of the nursing foal and lactating mare. The analysis revealed that except for Ca (Calcium) and P (Phosphorus), the highest concentrations of mineral elements were found in colostrum. It suggests that the nursing foal should have access to quality pasture or creep feed to meet its daily mineral needs as milk intake may offer less than optimum levels of Ca, P, and Cu (Copper).
Research Methodology
- The research gathered milk samples from 21 pasture-fed mares on specific days after giving birth, including on days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, and at intervals between 55 to 65, 85 to 95, and 135 to 150.
- The team applied inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry to measure the concentrations of macro- and micro-elements in the gathered milk samples.
Results of the Research
- Colostrum (the initial milk produced after birth) had the most concentrations of Mg (Magnesium), Na (Sodium), K (Potassium), S (Sulfur), Cu, Fe (Iron), and Zn (Zinc), except for Ca and P which showed the highest concentrations on day 7.
- The study found certain concentration gradients between plasma and milk. For instances, Ca, P, Mg, K, and Zn had higher concentrations in milk than in plasma. In contrast, Na, S, Cu, and Fe showed a reverse situation.
Conclusions Drawn
- Aside from Ca and P, the colostrum had the most significant concentrations of mineral elements. This observation suggests that colostrum is a vital nutritional source for newborn foals.
- To meet the daily mineral needs, the nursing foal must have access to quality pasture or creep feed because the intake of milk may yield less than optimal levels of Ca, P, and Cu.
- The findings from this study can have implications for the nutritional management of lactating mares and their nursing foals.
Cite This Article
APA
Grace ND, Pearce SG, Firth EC, Fennessy PF.
(1999).
Concentrations of macro- and micro-elements in the milk of pasture-fed thoroughbred mares.
Aust Vet J, 77(3), 177-180.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1999.tb11230.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- AgResearch Grasslands, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed
- Animals
- Animals, Suckling / growth & development
- Animals, Suckling / metabolism
- Calcium / analysis
- Calcium / blood
- Calcium / metabolism
- Copper / analysis
- Copper / blood
- Copper / metabolism
- Female
- Horses / growth & development
- Horses / metabolism
- Iron / analysis
- Iron / blood
- Iron / metabolism
- Lactation
- Magnesium / analysis
- Magnesium / blood
- Magnesium / metabolism
- Milk / metabolism
- Minerals / analysis
- Minerals / blood
- Minerals / metabolism
- Phosphorus / analysis
- Phosphorus / blood
- Phosphorus / metabolism
- Poaceae / metabolism
- Potassium / analysis
- Potassium / blood
- Potassium / metabolism
- Pregnancy
- Reference Values
- Sodium / analysis
- Sodium / blood
- Sodium / metabolism
- Sulfur / analysis
- Sulfur / blood
- Sulfur / metabolism
- Weight Gain
- Zinc / analysis
- Zinc / blood
- Zinc / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Puchkova LV, Babich PS, Zatulovskaia YA, Ilyechova EY, Di Sole F. Copper Metabolism of Newborns Is Adapted to Milk Ceruloplasmin as a Nutritive Source of Copper: Overview of the Current Data. Nutrients 2018 Oct 30;10(11).
- Fantuz F, Todini L, Salimei E, Fatica A, Mariani P, Marcantoni F, Ferraro S. Milk Yield, Major Milk Components and Macro Minerals in Blood Serum of Lactating Donkeys, as Affected by Dietary Trace Element Supplementation and Stage of Lactation. Animals (Basel) 2025 Apr 8;15(8).
- Alipour A, Akrami Mohajeri F, Javdan G, Pourramezani F, Fallahzadeh H, Khalili Sadrabad E. Concentration of mineral and heavy metals in raw mare (horse) milk consumed in Yazd, Iran: A risk assessment study. Vet Med Sci 2023 Jul;9(4):1592-1598.
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