Blue-green color and composition of Stejneger's beaked whale (Mesoplodon stejnegeri) milk.
Two hundred ml of milk were obtained from a lactating Stejneger's beaked whale stranded at Ninilchik, Alaska on 21 Oct, 1980. Total solids (41%) were similar to values reported for sperm and belukha whales, while fat (17%) was half as great and crude protein (17%) was 2-4 times greater than in milk of these species. Lactose was not detected. Calcium (0.22%) was greater than reported for pigmy sperm whales but less than for blue whales. Phosphorus (0.07%) was less than for any of the above species. Sodium and potassium concentrations were 0.13% and 0.11%, respectively. Values (microgram/g) for other elements analyzed (magnesium, 42; iron, 35; copper, 2.6; zinc, 1.5; manganese, 0.3; selenium, 0.36) have not been reported for whale milk. Based on SDS-gel electropherograms, this whale milk did not contain a whey protein corresponding to cattle milk alpha-lactalbumin. A blue-green pigment in the milk was identified as biliverdin.
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002591:Cetacea / Q000378:metabolism*; D003116:Color; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008892:Milk / Q000032:analysis*; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D010710:Phosphates / Q000032:analysis; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis; D013045:Species Specificity; D014907:Whales / Q000378:metabolism*
D008055:Lipids; D008894:Milk Proteins; D010710:Phosphates; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium