Dynamics of the Main Immunologically and Nutritionally Available Proteins of Human Milk during Lactation

✍ Scribed by Paul M. Montagne; Marie L. Cuillière; Claire M. Molé; Marie C. Béné; Gilbert C. Faure

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2000
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 162 KB
• Volume: 13
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0889-1575
• DOI: 10.1006/jfca.1999.0861

✦ Synopsis

Microparticle-enhanced nephelometric immunoassays were speci"cally developed for the quanti"cation of -lactalbumin, -casein, serum albumin, lactoferrin, and lysozyme in human milk. These components, immunoglobulin A and total proteins were assayed in 780 samples collected from 79 mothers during the "rst 12 weeks of lactation. The data obtained provide a precise description of the dynamics of human milk evolution over time and allow to depict six periods. In the early post-partum period (days 1}4), colostrum contains principally immunological components. The relative concentrations of immunologically and nutritionally available proteins are reversed during the following short transition period (days 5}8). Milk then secreted (days 9}18 and 19}28) appears to have principally a nutritious function. During the two following periods (days 28}49 and 50}84), milk appears well balanced in its nutritional and immunological components, supplying breast-fed infants with appropriate food intake for growth and development and passively protecting them by reincreasing concentrations of immunological components.