Composition of Swine Milk I. Major Constituents and Carotene, Vitamin A and Vitamin C

Abstract

Samples of swine colostrum and milk were collected and analyzed for total solid, solids-not-fat, protein, ash, carotene, vitamin A, and ascorbic acid content. The mean values for the principal constituents on the 5th, 15th, and 55th days of lactation, respectively, were, in percentage figures: total solids, 20, 19, 20; solids-not-fat, 11, 11, 13; fat, 9, 8, 7; protein, 6, 5, 7; ash, 0.9, 0.9, 1.3. The mean vitamin A content was, in micrograms per 100 ml: colostrum, 132; milk 5th day, 33; 15th day, 22; and 55th day, 19. Swine colostrum and milk contained essentially no carotene. The mean ascorbic acid content was, in milligrams per 100 ml: colostrum, 19; milk 5th day, 13; 15th day, 11; and 55th day, 11. No correlation between the composition of milk and breed or age was found. Supplementation of the ration with materials presumably containing unknown factors was without effect. Addition of vitamin A or carotene, however, produced an increase in the vitamin A content of colostrum and milk.