Trace element content in colostrum of different ruminant species at various post-partum intervals.

The colostrum samples were collected during the period November-December at the first milking after calving (Within 4 hours post-partum) and then every 12 hours (morning and evening) for 6 days respectively from 3 Friesian cows and 3 water buffalo cows. The colostrum samples of 8 "Gentile di Puglia" ewes in the first three milkings after calving were also collected. During the experimental period the newborn were separated from their mothers. The Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn content in colostrum was estimated by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results are given in Figure 1 for cows and buffaloes, and in Table 1 for ewes. The trace element content during the first 6 days in both groups was higher in the moring colostrum. The mean concentrations of Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn, in colostrum of the water buffaloes were higher than in that of the cows.