Question

First or foremilk is known as
(a)Colostrum
(b)Baby’s milk
(c)Rostrum
(d)Cholesterol

Answer 1

Hint: The first or foremilk refers to the milk immediately produced by the mother when she gives birth to her offspring. It has a different composition than breast milk or regular milk as it has to carry out specific functions such as removal of wastes from the baby’s body and increasing the immunity.

Complete answer:
The first or foremilk is known as colostrum. It is the first form of milk produced by the mammary glands of the animal immediately after it gives birth.
- The colostrum contains bioactive compounds, antibodies, and immune cells in a high concentration or low volume form that is essential for the small and immature digestive system of the newborn. It contains the components of the immune system such as cells like lymphocytes, lactoferrin, lysozyme, lactoperoxidase, complement, proline-rich polypeptides, antibodies such as IgA, IgG, and IgM, growth factors such as insulin-like growth factors (IGF) and transforming growth factors alpha ($TGF-\alpha$), and cytokines.
- Colostrum from bovine animals is also consumed by humans in the form of cheeses and other processed products.

Additional Information:
The baby’s milk is also known as breast milk, which is produced from the mother’s mammary glands. It contains essential nutrients required for the baby’s growth.
- A rostrum has multiple meanings, in human anatomy, it refers to the oral or nasal region.
- Cholesterol is a type of sterol, a lipid biosynthesized by animal cells and is a component of animal cell membranes. It is mainly a precursor for the synthesis of steroid hormones, bile acid, and vitamin D in the body.
So, the correct answer is option (a) ‘Colostrum’.

Note: Other names for Colostrum are beestings and bisnings.
- Colostrum is also required for encouraging the baby to pass their first stool, known as meconium.
- It also gives the milk a yellow hue.