Advertisement

Advertisement

colostrum

[ kuh-los-truhm ]

noun

  1. a yellowish liquid, especially rich in immune factors, secreted by the mammary gland of female mammals a few days before and after the birth of their young.


colostrum

/ kəˈlɒstrəm /

noun

  1. the thin milky secretion from the nipples that precedes and follows true lactation. It consists largely of serum and white blood cells
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Discover More

Derived Forms

  • coˈlostral, adjective
Discover More

Other Words From

  • co·lostral adjective
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of colostrum1

First recorded in 1570–80, colostrum is from the Latin word colostrum, colustrum “beestings,” colloquial for “first milk”
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of colostrum1

C16: from Latin, of obscure origin
Discover More

Example Sentences

For the first few days after giving birth, mothers produce colostrum, a thick, yellow, concentrated milk packed with compounds like the antibody IgA and lactoferrin, an abundant protein that boosts a baby’s immunity.

By nursing the colostrum out of the breasts, it will favor and hasten the secretion of milk.

Examined with the microscope, it is found to contain colostrum.

The first product of the mammæ is not the proper milk secretion, but is a yellowish fluid called colostrum .

After the calf is a few days old, colostrum changes to what is commonly known as milk.

Colostrum, ko-los′trum, n. the first milk of a mammal after parturition.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


colostomycolotomy