Bovine milk antibodies for health

The immunoglobulins of bovine colostrum provide the major antimicrobial pro tection against microbial infections and confer a passive immunity to the n ewborn calf until its own immune system matures. The concentration in colos trum of specific antibodies against pathogens can be raised by immunising c ows with these pathogens or their antigens. Immune milk products are prepar ations made of such hyperimmune colostrum or antibodies enriched from it. T hese preparations can be used to give effective specific protection against different enteric diseases in calves and suckling pigs. Colostral immunogl obulin supplements designed for farm animals are commercially available in many countries. Also, some immune milk products containing specific antibod ies against certain pathogens have been launched on the market. A number of clinical studies are currently in progress to evaluate the efficacy of imm une milks in the prevention and treatment of various human infections, incl uding those caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria. Bovine colostrum-based immune milk products have proven effective in prophylaxis against various infectious diseases in humans. Good results have been obtained with product s targeted against rotavirus, Shigella flexneri, Escherichia coli, Clostrid ium difficile, Streptococcus mutans, Cryptosporidium parvum and Helicobacte r pylori. Some successful attempts have been made to use immune milk in bal ancing gastrointestinal microbial flora. Immune milk products are promising examples of health-promoting functional foods, or nutraceuticals. This rev iew summarises the recent progress in the development of these products and evaluates their potential as dietary supplements and in clinical nutrition .