Chemical composition of ardi goat colostrum and milk
Chemical composition of Ardi goat colostrum and milk is presented in Table 1. The results indicated that Ardi goat colostrum had higher (P<0.0001) SNF (13.40 vs. 8.55), protein (7.88 vs. 2.62), lactose (11.56 vs. 2.82) and density (1.0316 vs. 1.0247) but lower fat contents (0.46 vs. 3.02) and minerals (0.20 vs. 0.40) compared to Ardi goat milk, respectively. Moreover, the Brix value (%) of immunoglobulin content in goat’s colostrum is 21.0%.
Body weight, rectal temperature, pulse rate and peripheral oxygen saturation
Changes of rectal temperature, pulse rate and SPO
2 among Ardi goat’s colostrum, milk and control groups are presented in Table 2. The rectal temperature value (°C) was significantly higher in milk group compared to colostrum and control groups whereas pulse rates and SPO
2 values were not differed among groups.
Monitoring blood glucose levels
Blood glucose values per day of mice consuming fresh and cold-stored Ardi goat’s colostrum and milk are shown in Fig 2. There were no significant differences in blood glucose values between any of the groups at the start of the study (day 0). The control group’s glucose levels remained relatively stable over the four days of experiment. All groups had similar starting glucose levels around 133.0-136.0 mg/dl (day 0). At day 1, the fresh Ardi goat’s colostrum group showed the lowest blood glucose value (P<0.0001) followed by Ardi goat’s milk and control groups, respectively. At day 2, the same trend of blood glucose values was observed among groups as day 1. At day 3, no significant differences was found among groups. At day 4, Ardi goat’s milk showed the highest blood glucose value followed by control and colostrum groups, respectively.
Total protein and lipid profiles
Changes of total protein and lipid profiles of Ardi goat’s colostrum, milk and control groups are presented in Table 3. The results showed that total cholesterol values were significantly decreased in colostrum and milk groups compared to control group. The high-density lipoprotein (HDL) values were increased in colostrum group compared to milk and control groups. Furthermore, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and TC/HDL values were decreased in colostrum and milk groups compared to control group.
The results of the present study are showed in Fig 2 and Table 1-3 indicating the chemical composition of Ardi goat’s colostrum and milk and their effects in fresh or cold-stored state on physiological parameters, blood glucose, total protein and lipid profiles. The obtained results showed the potential effects of Ardi goat’s colostrum in modifying total protein, lipid profiles and blood glucose values followed by Ardi goat milk and control groups, respectively. There is an increasing number of goats being raised specifically for milk production and accompanied by rising consumer demand for goat milk
(Pulina et al., 2018; Miller and Lu, 2019;
Liao et al., 2024). It has been shown that goat’s milk is considered a highly desirable alternative to human milk
(Ke et al., 2017). The growing interest for goat milk might be due to nutritional benefits, easier digestion and reduced allergenicity, health and wellness trends
(Stergiadis et al., 2019).
Chemical composition of Ardi goat colostrum and milk
Chemical composition of Ardi goat colostrum and milk is presented in Table 1. The results indicated that Ardi goat colostrum had higher (P<0.0001) SNF (13.40 vs. 8.55), protein (7.88 vs. 2.62), lactose (11.56 vs. 2.82) and density (1.0316 vs. 1.0247) but lower fat contents (0.46 vs. 3.02) and minerals (0.20 vs. 0.40) compared to Ardi goat milk, respectively. Moreover, the refractometer Brix value (%) of immunoglobulin content in goat’s colostrum is 21.0%. This result is consistent with other studies (
Sánchez-Macías et al., 2014;
dos Santos et al., 2023). Goat’s colostrum, the initial secretion following parturition, differs significantly from mature milk. The varying components of colostrum highlight its crucial function in supplying newborn kids with essential immune defenses and a dense source of nutrients, thereby supporting their adaptation to life outside the uterus. Goat’s colostrum has a dry matter much higher than milk (14.0% vs. 29.0%), especially the high protein content which composed of 80.0% immunoglobulins (
Sánchez-Macías et al., 2014;
Liu et al., 2021). Goat’s colostrum has higher fat content than mature milk fat
(Zhang et al., 2024). In addition, bioactive peptide precursors are present in goat colostrum in considerable quantities as such as α-lactoalbumin and β-lactoglobulins
(Soloshenko et al., 2020). Liu et al. (2021) found that goat colostrum had higher values of protein, fat, minerals, EGF, IGF-I, LTF and IgG, but lower values of lactose and cAMP. There are different factors effect on goat’s colostrum and mature milk composition including species, parities, lactation stage, nutrition, environmental and health factors
(Fan et al., 2023; Pérez-Marín et al., 2023;
Wicki et al., 2025). Strategies of dry-off can influence colostrogenesis and colostrum composition. In addition, starch prepartum supplementation can impact concentration of colostrum IgG. Furthermore, inflammation may enhance immunoglobulin contents in goat colostrum (IgG, IgM)
(Wicki et al., 2025). The bioactive factors of goats’ colostrum remains unknown (
Pérez-Marín et al., 2023;
Mondeshka et al., 2022; Wicki et al., 2025).
Rectal temperature, peripheral oxygen saturation and pulse rate
Changes of rectal temperature, pulse rate and SPO
2 among control, goat’s colostrum and milk groups are shown in Table 2. The pulse rates and SPO
2 values were not differed among groups whereas rectal temperature (°C) was higher (P<0.05) in milk group compared to values in colostrum and control groups. This could be owing to the period of experiment, colostrum and milk substances don’t directly provide significant amounts of substances that would immediately alter respiratory function or oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood in healthy mice. Hence, consumption of goat’s colostrum and milk is unlikely to trigger a rapid and significant change in pulse rate in healthy individuals. The higher value of rectal temperature in milk group compared to those of colostrum and control groups might be owing to significant increased of energy metabolism as showed by
Liu et al. (2021).
Blood glucose levels
Blood glucose values per day over consuming
ad libitum fresh and cold-stored goat’s colostrum and milk are shown in Fig 2. There was no significant differences in blood glucose levels between any of the groups at the start of the experiment (day 0). The control group’s glucose levels remained relatively stable over the four days of experiment. All groups had similar starting glucose levels around 133.0-135.0 mg/dl (day 0). At day 1, the fresh goat’s colostrum group showed the lowest blood glucose value (P<0.0001) followed by goat’s milk and control groups, respectively. At day 2, day 3 and day 4, goat colostrum and goat milk were given to mice over cold-stored condition. At day 2 and day 3, the blood glucose values were the lowest in colostrum group followed by milk and control groups, respectively. At day 4, the blood glucose values were the lowest in milk group followed by colostrum and control groups, respectively. These effects could be attributed to the ingredients in goat’s colostrum and milk (Table 1). Both goat’s colostrum and milk contain various biological compounds, some of which can be potentially effect on blood glucose levels and body functions.
Liu et al. (2021) found that goat’s colostrum had higher values of protein and IGF-I compared to goat’s milk, which might be owing to its higher hypoglycemic effects. In addition, goat’s milk used in type 2 diabetic mice improve glucose metabolism
(Chen et al., 2024). Cold storage is a common method for preserving food and biological samples, which can have a significant effect on goat’s colostrum and milk. The changes in goat milk during storage after milking and heating was reported (
Yanmış and Coşkun, 2018).
Lipid profiles
Changes of total protein and lipid profiles of colostrum, milk and control groups are presented in Table 2. The higher total protein values in colostrum and milk group could be attributed to higher amino acid metabolism, replication and repair, nucleotide metabolism of those groups compared to control one
(Liu et al., 2021). Total cholesterol values were decreased in colostrum and milk groups if compared to control group. This could be owing to cholesterol homeostasis regulation, colostrum and milk components, gut microbiota modulation, antioxidant effects of colostrum and milk
(Adar et al., 2012). HDL values were increased in colostrum group if compared to milk and control groups. This could be attributed to higher fat contents and fatty acid profiles in colostrum if compared to milk and control groups (Table 1) as mentioned in other studies
(Liu et al., 2021). Furthermore, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein LDL and TC/HDL values were decreased in colostrum and milk groups if compared to control group. Certain proteins, peptides and other bioactive compounds in colostrum and milk might interfere with LDL production or enhance its clearance from the circulation. The combined effects of the various components in colostrum and milk influencing triglyceride metabolism, LDL production and HDL levels might likely work synergistically to produce this beneficial shift in the lipid profiles
(Contarini et al., 2014; El-Zahar et al., 2021;
Silva et al., 2024).