What does this research mean for the field?

The nutritional and mineral composition of giraffe milk changes significantly from mid to late lactation, characterized by increases in protein and ash and decreases in lactose and fat, while maintaining high microbial quality that is influenced by lactation stage and season. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To characterize changes in the proximate, mineral, and microbiological composition of giraffe milk from mid-lactation through to cessation.

September 3, 2026Zoo BiologyOpen Access

Changes of Microbial and Component Composition of Giraffe Milk During Mid‐ to Late Lactation

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Authors

GOGernot Osthoff CHCelia J. Hugo SMSean van der Merwe

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Overview

Longitudinal study demonstrates significant nutritional and microbial shifts in giraffe milk over late lactation, highlighting dynamic maternal resource allocation before weaning.

Key Points

To characterize changes in the proximate, mineral, and microbiological composition of giraffe milk from mid-lactation through to cessation.
Tracked milk composition longitudinally in five giraffes (N=5) spanning 9 to 16 months of lactation.
Quantified proximate values (dry matter, protein, lactose, fat, ash, non-protein nitrogen), gross energy, essential minerals (Na, K, Ca, P, Zn), and microbial counts across stages and seasons.
Between 9.4 and 15.1 months of lactation, protein increased from 3.4 to 8.8 g/100 g, ash rose from 0.9 to 2.2 g/100 g, and dry matter increased from 17.7 to 20.0 g/100 g, while lactose declined from 4.7 to 0.9 g/100 g, fat fell from 8.8 to 3.5 g/100 g, and gross energy decreased from 119.4 to 87.6 kCal/100 g.
Mineral concentrations rose substantially by 15.1 months, with Ca increasing from 139.5 to 293.2 mg/100 g, P from 77.7 to 188.9 mg/100 g, and Na from 30.2 to 233.2 mg/100 g before all animals ceased lactation at 16 months.
Milk met agricultural microbial standards, with total bacteria counts declining with lactation stage but increasing in warmer months, whereas yeast and mould counts increased during late lactation and decreased during warmer seasons.

Cite This Study

Osthoff et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9935c7636c6408cfa7e438 https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.70110

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September 3, 2026Zoo BiologyOpen Access

Changes of Microbial and Component Composition of Giraffe Milk During Mid‐ to Late Lactation

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

GOGernot Osthoff CHCelia J. Hugo SMSean van der Merwe

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Longitudinal study demonstrates significant nutritional and microbial shifts in giraffe milk over late lactation, highlighting dynamic maternal resource allocation before weaning.

Key Points

To characterize changes in the proximate, mineral, and microbiological composition of giraffe milk from mid-lactation through to cessation.
Tracked milk composition longitudinally in five giraffes (N=5) spanning 9 to 16 months of lactation.
Quantified proximate values (dry matter, protein, lactose, fat, ash, non-protein nitrogen), gross energy, essential minerals (Na, K, Ca, P, Zn), and microbial counts across stages and seasons.
Between 9.4 and 15.1 months of lactation, protein increased from 3.4 to 8.8 g/100 g, ash rose from 0.9 to 2.2 g/100 g, and dry matter increased from 17.7 to 20.0 g/100 g, while lactose declined from 4.7 to 0.9 g/100 g, fat fell from 8.8 to 3.5 g/100 g, and gross energy decreased from 119.4 to 87.6 kCal/100 g.
Mineral concentrations rose substantially by 15.1 months, with Ca increasing from 139.5 to 293.2 mg/100 g, P from 77.7 to 188.9 mg/100 g, and Na from 30.2 to 233.2 mg/100 g before all animals ceased lactation at 16 months.
Milk met agricultural microbial standards, with total bacteria counts declining with lactation stage but increasing in warmer months, whereas yeast and mould counts increased during late lactation and decreased during warmer seasons.

Cite This Study

Osthoff et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9935c7636c6408cfa7e438 https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.70110

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