Mare's Milk from a Small Polish Specialized Farm-Basic Chemical Composition, Fatty Acid Profile, and Healthy Lipid Indices.
Authors: Czyżak-Runowska Grażyna, Wójtowski Jacek Antoni, Danków Romualda, Stanisławski Daniel
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Mare's Milk Composition and Fatty Acid Profiles Researchers analysed milk samples from Polish Coldblood mares across three lactation stages (weeks 10, 15, and 25) to characterise its chemical composition, fatty acid profile, and associated health indices, recognising that mare's milk represents an underexplored nutritional resource. Mid-lactation milk (week 15) demonstrated the most favourable fatty acid profile, with notably higher concentrations of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids compared to earlier and later sampling points. Crucially, the milk exhibited consistently low atherogenic and thrombogenic indices—markers that predict cardiovascular risk in consumers—suggesting potential health benefits from a lipid metabolism perspective. A significant relationship emerged between mare parity (number of foalings) and the resulting fatty acid composition, with multiparous mares producing milk with more desirable lipid profiles than younger counterparts. For producers and those advising on mare management, these findings suggest that strategic control of herd age structure could optimise bulk tank milk quality without requiring dietary intervention, though larger-scale validation studies are warranted before drawing definitive conclusions about commercial application.
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Practical Takeaways
- •For farms producing mare's milk commercially, timing milk collection around week 15 of lactation may optimize the healthy fatty acid composition
- •Strategic management of mare ages within a herd can enhance the nutritional quality of bulk tank milk without dietary intervention
- •The favorable lipid indices suggest mare's milk may have market advantages for health-conscious consumers concerned about cardiovascular health
Key Findings
- •Lactation stage significantly affects fatty acid profile, with highest monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids at week 15 of lactation
- •Mare's milk demonstrated low atherogenic and thrombogenic indices, indicating potential health benefits
- •Birth order (number of foalings) correlates significantly with fatty acid profile and atherogenic index of milk
- •Herd age structure management can modify the fatty acid profile of bulk tank milk