Effect of Colostrum Insulin-like Growth Factors on Growth and Development of Neonatal Calves

The purpose of the present paper is to review the role of colostrum growth factors in the growth and development of neonatal calves. An emphasis is put on insulin-like growth factors (IGF-1 and IGF-2), that are abundant in cow’s colostrum. Although these factors are absorbed in rather limited amounts, they exert an effect upon both the growth and development of the gastrointestinal tract, and on the functional maturation of the organism and its adaptation to the novel environment after the birth, when a transition from parenteral to enteral nutrition takes place. A number of systemic effects of colostrum on the organism of neonates are described and discussed, as well as the role of endogenous growth factors.