Walter Hurley

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Walter L. Hurley is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois, USA. His research focuses on a broad range of topics related to the biology of lactation. His studies examine aspects of comparative milk composition, immunoglobulin transport through colostrum, lactation physiology, and mammary gland development, function, and involution in cattle and swine. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed research papers, reviews and book chapters. He has been the recipient of many recognitions for his teaching, and has shared his experience and knowledge of the concepts of teaching and learning with many national and international audiences. His online, open-access Lactation Biology course (Coursera, Lactation Biology) includes more than 120 short videos, offering learners fundamental information about the biology of lactation.

1books edited

3chapters authored

Latest work with IntechOpen by Walter Hurley

This book provides insights into a wide range of topics related to milk protein. The chapters of this book will be of significant value to those interested in dairy foods, milk chemistry, cheese production, human health, neonatal development, lactation and mammary gland biology, and milk protein production. These chapters explore a range of topics related to milk protein, including: bioactivities of milk proteins and the peptides generated from those proteins; novel functions ascribed for some milk proteins; how processing of milk can impact milk proteins; allergies associated with consumption of milk; genetic variation of milk proteins; application of genomic technologies to explore expression of proteins during milk synthesis; and production of milk and milk protein as affected by environmental factors.

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Milk Protein

Edited by Walter Hurley

Chapters authored

Milk Protein Synthesis in the Lactating Mammary Gland: Insights from Transcriptomics Analyses

By Massimo Bionaz, Walter Hurley and Juan Loor

Part of the book: Milk Protein

The Protein Component of Sow Colostrum and Milk

By P.K. Theil and W.L. Hurley

The production of colostrum and milk by the sow are primary limiting factors affecting survival, growth and development of the piglets. The proteins of colostrum and milk provide not only a supply of amino acids to the neonate but also a wide range of bioactive factors. Proteins in sow mammary secretions include those associated with the milk fat membranes, caseins, mammary-derived whey proteins, immunoglobulins, hormones and growth factors, enzymes, and a wide range of other proteins. Concentrations of most milk-specific proteins typically are lower in colostrum than in milk, while concentrations of immunoglobulins and other bioactive proteins often are enriched in colostrum compared with mature milk. Dietary protein is utilized for milk protein production with approximately 50% efficiency. During both the colostrum period and at peak lactation as much as 700–800 g of protein is secreted daily by today’s highly prolific sows. Estimates of daily milk protein secretion during lactation suggest that sows are not able to consume sufficient dietary protein and energy to account for output of solids in milk and therefore must mobilize body protein and body fat to support their milk production. Milk protein content typically is not affected by dietary treatment, indicating that the sow mobilizes her body reserves to maintain milk production and milk protein production. These observations are of particular interest for today’s highly prolific sows, which may require more dietary protein than previous genotypes.

Part of the book: Milk Proteins

Introductory Chapter: Impact of First 1000 Days Nutrition on Child Development and General Health

By Isam Jaber AL-Zwaini, Zaid Rasheed AL-Ani and Walter Hurley

Part of the book: Infant Feeding

Walter Hurley

Latest work with IntechOpen by Walter Hurley

Milk Protein

Chapters authored

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