Characterization of mineral concentrations and yields from colostrum to mature milk of multiparous Holstein cattle

Colostrum and transition milk contain a variety of bioactive components that promote the health and development of neonatal calves.This work characterizes how mineral composition and yields evolve from colostrum to transition and mature milk.Milk samples were collected from 15 multiparous Holstein dairy cattle at milkings 1 through 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14.Macromineral (Ca, Mg, P, Na, K, S) concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, with the exception of Cl, which was analyzed by potentiometric titration, while trace mineral (Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Co, Se, Mo) concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma -mass spectrometry.The concentrations (mass per kg) of all minerals were highest in colostrum and progressively decreased from transition to mature milk, with the exceptions of K, Cl, Mn, and Mo, which maintained a similar concentration in both transition and mature milk.However, trends in mineral yields largely reflected increasing milk volume, with osmotically relevant macrominerals increasing (Na, K, Cl) with volume, or linked to somatic growth (Ca) to increase across lactation, whereas trace minerals declined (Co) or increased (Cu) throughout lactation.These results demonstrate that individual minerals follow a specific temporal pattern across lactation in connection with their function and thus, the stage of lactation should be considered when evaluating milk mineral composition.