content changes of selected mineral nutrients in mare’s colostrums in the first 72 hours after foaling

Abstract

The aim of this study was to monitor levels of minerals in mare’s colostrum in the first 3 days after foaling. Colostrum samples from four warm-blood mares (in three repetitions) were analysed 2, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours postpartum. The samples were obtained by hand milking. Calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) contents were analysed in each sample. Non-significant decrease of postpartum Ca and Na contents was found in the analysed samples. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in P content were detected between 2 and 36 hours postpartum. Content of Mg showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) during the period after foaling (2, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours post foaling). Mg concentration reached its maximum (21.8 g.kg−1 of dry matter) 2 hours postpartum and it dropped to its lowest level (5.27 g.kg−1 of dry matter) 48 hours after foaling. Similarly, the highest K content (significant in relation to values obtained 36, 48 and 72 hours postpartum) was detected 2 hours after foaling while the lowest K level (37.96 g.kg−1 of dry matter) was found 48 hours postpartum. As regards the microelements, Cu showed insignificant differences in its postpartum levels (P > 0.05). Besides growth of Fe levels, decrease of Zn and Mn (P > 0.05) was also observed.