The relatively low lactose content in colostrum reduces the incidence of diarrhea. And the presence of the enzyme inhibitor, trypsin, enables the calf to better absorb and assimilate colostrum antibodies. The immunoglobulin content of colostrum ranges from 2 to 23 percent. Immunoglobulin content is directly related to the percentage of solids in the colostrum, which ranges from 17 to 36 percent. The appearance of colostrum is an excellent indicator of its quality.
Good colostrum containing a high percentage of immunoglobulins is very thick and creamy.
Calves are born with little or no immunity or resistance to disease and infections. The blood of a newborn calf contains few or no antibodies. Thus the immunity that a newborn calf acquires when it absorbs immunoglobulins from colostrum is crucial to the animal's survival. IgG make up 80 to 85 percent of all immunoglobulins in colostrum. They provide immunity against a wide variety of systemic infections and disease.