title: Immunologic factors in human milk: the effects of gestational age and pasteurization.
abstract: This study compared concentrations of total protein, lysozyme, and immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM) in samples of colostrum (n=101) obtained from mothers of infants<32 weeks, 32 to 36(6) 7 weeks, and >or=37 weeks gestational age, both before and after pasteurization. Total protein was measured by refraction index, lysozyme by the lysoplate method, and immunoglobulins through the radial immunodiffusion technique. The total protein concentration was greater in colostrum of the <32 weeks and 32 to 36(6) 7 weeks categories compared to full-term (P<.001), while concentrations of lysozyme and IgM were similar. IgA concentrations were higher in the <32 weeks group compared to the full-term and similar to the 32 to 36(6) 7 weeks group (P<.05). The IgG was higher in the <32 weeks category compared to 32 to 36(6) 7 weeks, and both were similar to the full-term (P<.05). Pasteurization significantly decreased all of the factors analyzed.
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics Department, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alvaro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koenig
authors.forename: Edna Maria
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: de Albuquerque Diniz
authors.forename: Sonia França Correia
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.forename: Flávio Adolfo Costa
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Vaz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003126:Colostrum / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D009113:Muramidase / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D009113:Muramidase