First Milk

Pregnancy

Report in 96Hrs

At Home

No Fasting Required

Details

Tests newborn’s first milk/blood.

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First Milk Test Information Guide

Why is it done?
- First milk (colostrum) testing is performed to assess the quality and nutritional content of the initial secretions from the mammary glands following parturition, primarily in livestock but also applicable to human lactation assessment
- Evaluates immunoglobulin (Ig) content, particularly IgG, IgA, and IgM, which provide passive immunity to newborns
- Assesses protein, fat, lactose, and mineral content to ensure adequate nutritional transfer to neonates
- Detects antimicrobial factors such as lysozyme and lactoferrin that protect against infection
- Performed within the first 24-48 hours after birth to determine colostrum quality for optimal transfer to offspring
- Used to assess maternal health status and immune function following delivery
Normal Range
- Immunoglobulin G (IgG): 50-100 mg/mL (normal to optimal levels ensure adequate passive immunity)
- Total Protein: 10-25 g/dL (higher in early colostrum, decreases as transition milk develops)
- Fat Content: 5-15 g/dL (provides energy and fat-soluble vitamins to newborn)
- Lactose: 2-5 g/dL (lower in early colostrum, increases over first few days)
- Colostrum Specific Gravity: 1.040-1.090 g/mL (indicates quality; higher values suggest adequate immunoglobulin content)
- Interpretation: Results above these ranges are optimal; results below indicate poor colostrum quality and increased risk of inadequate passive transfer of immunity to the newborn
Interpretation
- Optimal Quality (High IgG >50 mg/mL): Indicates strong maternal immune function and excellent passive immunity transfer; newborn has adequate protection against pathogens
- Marginal Quality (IgG 25-50 mg/mL): Indicates fair colostrum quality with borderline immunity transfer; newborn may be at increased infection risk and may require close monitoring
- Poor Quality (IgG <25 mg/mL): Indicates inadequate passive transfer of immunity; newborn has significant infection risk and may require supplementation with high-quality colostrum from alternative sources
- Low Total Protein (<10 g/dL): Suggests maternal malnutrition, systemic disease, or immunodeficiency; indicates poor nutritional composition
- Low Specific Gravity (<1.040 g/mL): Associated with lower immunoglobulin concentration; considered inferior colostrum quality
- Factors Affecting Results: Maternal age (older multiparous mothers typically have better quality), breed genetics, maternal nutrition during pregnancy, health status at delivery, timing of collection (earlier samples have higher immunoglobulin), and environmental stress
Associated Organs
- Primary Organ System - Mammary Glands: First milk is produced by epithelial cells lining the alveoli and ductal system; reflects maternal immune status and nutritional state
- Secondary System - Immune System: Colostrum contains maternal immune cells and antibodies; reflects lymphocyte activity, B cell function, and humoral immune response
- Associated with Gastrointestinal System: Immunoglobulins in first milk protect newborn's intestinal mucosa (IgA) and systemic circulation (IgG); critical for preventing neonatal enteritis and sepsis
- Liver Function: Maternal hepatic protein synthesis influences immunoglobulin and albumin content in colostrum; liver disease may compromise colostrum quality
- Associated Conditions: Inadequate colostrum may indicate maternal infection, immunodeficiency, nutritional deficiency, metabolic disorders (ketosis, hypocalcemia), or mastitis; poor colostrum quality associated with increased neonatal morbidity and mortality
Follow-up Tests
- Serum Immunoglobulin Assessment (Newborn): Perform 24-48 hours after birth to verify passive immunity transfer; failure of passive transfer of immunity (FTPI) diagnosis helps determine need for intervention
- Complete Blood Count (Newborn): Assess for infection or immune system abnormalities if poor colostrum quality detected
- Maternal Serum Chemistry Panel: Evaluate liver function, protein synthesis, albumin, and electrolyte status if abnormal colostrum composition detected
- Maternal Milk Culture: If mastitis suspected, culture colostrum to identify causative organisms and guide antimicrobial therapy
- Maternal Infectious Disease Screening: If systemic infection suspected based on poor colostrum quality
- Transition Milk Testing: Perform additional milk composition analysis at 3-5 days postpartum to assess normalization of lactation
- Neonatal Clinical Monitoring: Close observation for signs of infection, failure to thrive, or immune insufficiency over first 2-4 weeks of life
Fasting Required?
- Fasting: No - Fasting is NOT required for first milk collection or analysis
- Sample Collection Timing: Collect within 4-24 hours immediately after parturition; earlier collection (within 6 hours) provides most accurate assessment of true colostrum quality before significant dilution occurs
- Collection Method: Manual expression or gentle milking into sterile container; collection should be from multiple teats to ensure representative sample
- Sample Preparation: Obtain minimum 20-30 mL of colostrum in sterile container; maintain aseptic technique to prevent contamination; label with mother identification, collection time, and date
- Storage Instructions: Refrigerate at 2-8°C (35-46°F) if not immediately tested; if freezing is necessary for later analysis, freeze at -20°C (-4°F) or colder; avoid freezing if refractometer testing planned, as this may affect specific gravity measurement
- No Maternal Fasting Required: Mother may eat and drink normally; first milk composition is relatively fixed by production process and is not significantly affected by immediate maternal food intake
- Special Precautions: Avoid contamination with environmental pathogens or cleaning agents; do not combine samples from multiple animals; do not use samples with visible blood, discoloration, or abnormal odor unless investigating mastitis

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