Composition of prepartum mammary secretions of two bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus L.).
Mammary secretions from two bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus L.) females carrying near-term fetuses were analyzed for dry matter, ash, protein, fat, carbohydrate and energy content. Protein values ranged from 75.9% to 97.3% of dry matter. Fat ranged from 0.6% to 9.1% of dry matter. A protein corresponding to beta-lactoglobulin on gel filtration chromatography was the predominant whey protein. Neutralizing antibodies to nine caliciviruses were detected in one sample. Composition of these two samples differs from previous reports for cetacean milk, perhaps due to the stage of lactation.
Harms
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Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506.
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002139:Caliciviridae / Q000276:immunology; D003126:Colostrum / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000378:metabolism*; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000378:metabolism*; D014907:Whales / Q000378:metabolism*; D000067816:Whey Proteins
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D008055:Lipids; D008894:Milk Proteins; D000067816:Whey Proteins