Why are Colostrum important?
Colostrum is the first food that is available to the newborn. It is not only highly nutritious but also contains substances (Immunoglobulins and Immune Factors) that help to stimulate and augment the newborn’s immune system. This helps to protect the vulnerable newborn from its new, potentially harmful environment by passive transmission of immunity. Further, it contains substances (Growth Factors and Cytokines) which proliferation of various tissues and organs. The significance of colostrum is best illustrated in farm animals such as the horse, goat, sheep and pig. In these animals passive transmission of immunity occurs after birth in the form of Colostrum. Is these animals do not received colostrum in the first 12 – 24 hours following birth they have very good chance of not surviving (mortality rates of up to 25% have been reported).
