The objective of this study was to monitor the post-partum variation of polyamine content, in ovine and
caprine milk, from indigenous Greek breeds. Twenty samples of ewe and 20 samples of goat colostrum
and milk were collected at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 15th day post-partum. Putrescine, spermidine
and spermine were measured as dansylated derivatives by high-performance liquid chromatography.
Putrescine was the least concentrated of these substances in both milk types. Spermidine was the prevailing
polyamine in caprine samples, reaching levels up to 4.41 lmol/l on the 3rd day post-partum. In ovine
milk, the profile of the mean concentrations showed greater levels of spermine than spermidine, except
for the 5th day post-partum. These data suggest that goat colostrum and ewe milk (15th day) could be
considered as good natural sources for these bioactive growth factors, and may become useful raw
materials for designing tailored dairy products for specific population groups