title: Milk composition in an American marsupial (Monodelphis domestica).
abstract: 1. Twenty one sequential milk samples from an American marsupial (Monodelphis domestica) were analyzed. 2. The solids fraction was relatively low initially (10% w/w) and then increased to about 30% at mid-lactation where it remained until lactation ceased. 3. During the first 50 days of lactation the relative proportions of protein, fat and carbohydrate were 36, 28 and 34%, respectively, of the solids fraction. 4. Sodium and magnesium concentrations were constant; however levels of potassium and magnesium varied substantially. 5. The milk of M. domestica exhibits a similar pattern of quantitative and qualitative changes to that seen in Australian marsupials.
authors.affiliation: Division of Wildlife and Ecology, CSIRO, Lyneham, A.C.T., Australia.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: VandeBerg
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Newgrain
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000378:metabolism; D008394:Marsupialia / Q000378:metabolism; D008892:Milk / Q000032:analysis*; D009893:Opossums / Q000378:metabolism*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States