Application of generalized additive models to explore minerals in sheep milk

ABSTRACT: This study explores the complex relationships among ovine milk minerals (Ca, P, Na, K, Mg, K, Cl, respectively) and different factors employing generalized additive mixed models (GAMM). The GAMM included milk yield (MY), parity, and breed as parametric terms, and casein, fat, lactose, pH,...

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Main Authors: Stefano Biffani, Michela Ablondi, Claudio Cipolat-Gotet, Andrea Summer, Elena Mariani, Johanna Ramírez-Díaz, Alessio Negro, Alessandro Lotto, Giorgia Stocco
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Dairy Science
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030225002504
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author Stefano Biffani
Michela Ablondi
Claudio Cipolat-Gotet
Andrea Summer
Elena Mariani
Johanna Ramírez-Díaz
Alessio Negro
Alessandro Lotto
Giorgia Stocco
author_facet Stefano Biffani
Michela Ablondi
Claudio Cipolat-Gotet
Andrea Summer
Elena Mariani
Johanna Ramírez-Díaz
Alessio Negro
Alessandro Lotto
Giorgia Stocco
author_sort Stefano Biffani
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT: This study explores the complex relationships among ovine milk minerals (Ca, P, Na, K, Mg, K, Cl, respectively) and different factors employing generalized additive mixed models (GAMM). The GAMM included milk yield (MY), parity, and breed as parametric terms, and casein, fat, lactose, pH, SCS, DIM, and sampling day as smooth functions. The objectives were to investigate how these factors could affect minerals in sheep milk and to assess whether their patterns change over time and across different concentrations of major milk components. The GAMM identified distinct patterns in the mineral concentrations between Comisana and Massese breeds, with the Massese ewes having less P, Mg, K, and Cl compared with the Comisana. Moreover, these minerals were also affected by DIM; Mg, S, and Cl were influenced by parity; and P, K, and Na changed across MY levels. Regarding milk components, all the minerals were affected by casein, fat, and lactose concentrations (excluding P for fat). Milk pH was important for Ca, K, Na, and Cl, whereas SCS affected the variability of all minerals except Ca. This study provided valuable insights on the variability of macrominerals in sheep milk, by using GAMM and examining the trajectory of each element across factors as breed, MY, parity, and DIM, as well as across various concentrations of major milk components and their interactions. The dynamic nature of milk mineral content was evident through temporal variability, likely driven by dietary changes, environmental fluctuations, and physiological adaptations, as well as synergistic and antagonistic interactions between milk components and fixed factors. These findings enhance understanding of mineral composition in sheep milk, providing a comprehensive framework for future research on milk quality, animal health, and cheesemaking properties.
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spelling doaj-art-96c3e6f9c2af462e901b2085065afad92025-08-20T03:13:04ZengElsevierJournal of Dairy Science0022-03022025-06-0110865641565710.3168/jds.2025-26340Application of generalized additive models to explore minerals in sheep milkStefano Biffani0Michela Ablondi1Claudio Cipolat-Gotet2Andrea Summer3Elena Mariani4Johanna Ramírez-Díaz5Alessio Negro6Alessandro Lotto7Giorgia Stocco8Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council, 20133 Milano, Italy; Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy; Corresponding authorDepartment of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, ItalyInstitute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council, 20133 Milano, ItalyUfficio Studi, Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia, 00184 Rome, Italy; Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (DISAA), University of Milan, 20133 Milano, ItalyNutristar S.P.A., 42122 Reggio-Emilia, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, ItalyABSTRACT: This study explores the complex relationships among ovine milk minerals (Ca, P, Na, K, Mg, K, Cl, respectively) and different factors employing generalized additive mixed models (GAMM). The GAMM included milk yield (MY), parity, and breed as parametric terms, and casein, fat, lactose, pH, SCS, DIM, and sampling day as smooth functions. The objectives were to investigate how these factors could affect minerals in sheep milk and to assess whether their patterns change over time and across different concentrations of major milk components. The GAMM identified distinct patterns in the mineral concentrations between Comisana and Massese breeds, with the Massese ewes having less P, Mg, K, and Cl compared with the Comisana. Moreover, these minerals were also affected by DIM; Mg, S, and Cl were influenced by parity; and P, K, and Na changed across MY levels. Regarding milk components, all the minerals were affected by casein, fat, and lactose concentrations (excluding P for fat). Milk pH was important for Ca, K, Na, and Cl, whereas SCS affected the variability of all minerals except Ca. This study provided valuable insights on the variability of macrominerals in sheep milk, by using GAMM and examining the trajectory of each element across factors as breed, MY, parity, and DIM, as well as across various concentrations of major milk components and their interactions. The dynamic nature of milk mineral content was evident through temporal variability, likely driven by dietary changes, environmental fluctuations, and physiological adaptations, as well as synergistic and antagonistic interactions between milk components and fixed factors. These findings enhance understanding of mineral composition in sheep milk, providing a comprehensive framework for future research on milk quality, animal health, and cheesemaking properties.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030225002504mineral variationovine milksmooth functionsComisanaMassese
spellingShingle Stefano Biffani
Michela Ablondi
Claudio Cipolat-Gotet
Andrea Summer
Elena Mariani
Johanna Ramírez-Díaz
Alessio Negro
Alessandro Lotto
Giorgia Stocco
Application of generalized additive models to explore minerals in sheep milk
Journal of Dairy Science
mineral variation
ovine milk
smooth functions
Comisana
Massese
title Application of generalized additive models to explore minerals in sheep milk
title_full Application of generalized additive models to explore minerals in sheep milk
title_fullStr Application of generalized additive models to explore minerals in sheep milk
title_full_unstemmed Application of generalized additive models to explore minerals in sheep milk
title_short Application of generalized additive models to explore minerals in sheep milk
title_sort application of generalized additive models to explore minerals in sheep milk
topic mineral variation
ovine milk
smooth functions
Comisana
Massese
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030225002504
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