Bovine colostrums: a review of clinical uses

Alternative Medicine Review,  Nov, 2003  by Gregory S. Kelly

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Abstract

Bovine colostrums are the "early" milk produced by cows during the first several days post-parturition. This "early" milk has a nutrient profile and immunological composition that differs substantially from "mature" milk. Included in the nutrient profile are higher amounts of immunoglobulins, growth factors, cytokines, and nucleosides than are found in milk. Bovine colostrums are also rich in oligosaccharides, antimicrobials, and immune-regulating factors. Available evidence suggests a beneficial effect of supplementation of bovine colostrums in improving body composition, aspects of athletic performance, diarrhea in persons with immune-deficiency syndromes, NSAID-induced gastrointestinal disturbances, and aspects of the acute phase response that occurs secondary to surgery. Specific hyperimmune bovine colostrums, produced to have high neutralizing titer activity against Cryptosporidia, H. pylori, measles, rotavirus, and Shigella sp., appear to have clinical utility in conditions associated with these infectious organisms.

(Altern Med Rev 2003;8(4):378-394)

Introduction

Bovine colostrums (BC) are the "early" milk produced by cows during the first several days post-parturition. This "early" milk has a nutrient profile and immunological composition substantially different from "mature" milk. In addition to macronutrients found in milk such as protein, carbohydrate, and fat, and micronutrients including vitamins and minerals, BC contain oligosaccharides, growth factors, antimicrobial compounds, and immune-regulating constituents either not present in milk or present in substantially lower concentrations. (1) The comprehensive nutritional, growth factor, and immune support is thought to provide passive immunity to protect the newborn calf from opportunistic infections while the immune system is developing, as well as to facilitate the growth and immune maturation of the digestive tract and possibly other tissues. (1)

The use of BC as a dietary supplement has increased substantially over the past decade. Unlike some dietary supplements whose composition is precisely defined chemically, and hence could be expected to be similar in composition irrespective of the brand, BC do not have a typical composition profile. Multiple factors influence the composition of BC, including the breed and health status of the cow. feeding practices, and time collected post-parturition. For example, a product made from BC collected during the first 24 hours post-parturition would be expected to have a higher concentration of immunoglobulins (Ig) and growth factors than a product made from BC collected from the same cows during the first three days post-parturition. In much of the existing research, specifics about collection time were not described within the methodology: in other cases. collection times were precisely defined. When reviewing the literature, if specific collection criteria were utilized, it is stated when the study is described.

While all BC contain neutralizing Ig against enteric pathogens, the specific Ig and the neutralizing titer of Ig contained is less predictable and is dictated by previous immune system challenges. For example, in cows exposed to a specific immunological challenge such as rotavirus, the BC produced might contain a relatively high neutralizing Ig titer against this virus (as well as many other pathogenic microorganisms). Conversely, BC collected from cows never exposed to rotavirus, while containing similar amounts of Ig against a variety of pathogens, might have no specific neutralizing Ig against rotavirus. This is an important distinction, since a large percentage of the research on BC, as prophylaxis or treatment for infectious disease, has been focused on products that are, as a consequence of specific immune provocation, immunologically unique. For the purposes of this review, BC produced by immunizing cows against specific microorganisms will be referred to as "hyperimmune bovine colostrums" (HBC). The clinical results produced by specific HBC cannot necessarily be generalized to other HBC utilizing different immunizations nor to BC from non-immunized cows. When discussing research on HBC, the manner the immune system was challenged will be briefly reviewed. Readers wishing more information on methods used to generate a specific HBC product can find additional details on methodology in the original research.

Post-collection processing and concentration methods used by suppliers of BC also influence the quantity of specific constituents in bovine colostrums, and hence, possibly clinical effects. For example, two BC products initially could have similar constituent profiles when collected: however, after processing and concentrating, these two products could have very different quantities of protein (Ig, lactalbumin, casein), fat, lactose, and lactoferrin.

Because of the factors influencing the composition and quantity of constituents within BC, rather than thinking of BC as a specific substance, it is both more accurate and appropriate, especially when reviewing the existing literature, to think of BC as a category--within which often exist more precisely defined products. Therefore, the immunological and clinical impact produced by specific BC or HBC products discussed in this review cannot necessarily be presumed to be a result that will be produced by all BC.