Nutritional composition, fatty acids profile and immunoglobulin G concentrations of mare milk of the Chilean Corralero horse breed.
Authors: Rivero M Jordana, Cooke Andrew S, Gandarillas Monica, Leon Roberto, Merino Veronica M, Velásquez Alejandro
Journal: PloS one
Summary
# Editorial Summary Researchers analysed milk composition from 45 Chilean Corralero mares across three southern Chilean breeding farms to establish baseline nutritional and immunological profiles for this native breed. Using standard laboratory analysis, the team measured macronutrients, detailed fatty acid profiles, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations, finding that days in milk significantly influenced protein, ash, saturated fatty acid content and gross energy (all declining with lactation progression), whilst lactose and fat remained relatively stable regardless of lactation stage—suggesting farm management practices, rather than physiological lactation stage alone, drive variation in certain milk components. IgG concentrations differed between farms (farm B substantially higher than farm A), pointing to dietary and pasture composition as key modulators rather than maternal factors previously assumed important. Chilean Corralero milk broadly aligns with other equine breeds nutritionally, though tends towards lower fat and total solids; notably, it contains significantly higher lactose and lower fat than bovine or human milk, translating to a more favourable fatty acid profile with lower atherogenic and thrombogenic indices. For equine practitioners, these findings highlight that foal nutrition and growth can be optimised through targeted farm management—particularly pasture composition and supplementation strategies—to enhance both colostral antibody transfer and milk nutrient density during the critical early lactation period.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Farm management, diet quality, and pasture composition significantly impact mare milk IgG content and macronutrient profile—optimize these factors to support foal passive immunity and growth
- •Monitor milk composition across lactation stages; early lactation milk has higher protein and energy density, which may benefit young foals during critical growth phases
- •Chilean Corralero breed produces milk with favorable fatty acid profiles (lower atherogenic index) suitable for foal nutrition, with potential advantages over other livestock milk sources
Key Findings
- •Days in milk negatively associated with ash, protein, solids, saturated fatty acids, and gross energy; positively associated with monounsaturated fatty acids
- •Milk fat, lactose, and energy content varied independently of days in milk, suggesting farm management practices as influencing factors
- •IgG concentration differed between farms (Farm B > Farm A), potentially linked to dietary factors and pasture composition
- •Chilean Corralero mare milk had lower fat and total solids compared to other horse breeds but maintained adequate nutritional profile for foal development