The influence of Iraqi mothers' socioeconomic status on their milk-lipid content.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the lipid content and fatty acid (FA) composition, especially n(3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n(3) LCPUFAs) of mature breast-milk of Iraqi mothers and their relation to the socioeconomic status of the mothers.


METHODS
A collection of mature breast-milk of mothers with three different socioeconomic status (lactation period 5+/-1 month).


METHODS
Mosul province (in the north of Iraq).


METHODS
Mature breast-milk samples were obtained from a group of 20- to 35-year-old mothers with different socioeconomic status: high urban (HU, n=25), low urban (LU, n=15) and typical suburban (SU, n=25).


METHODS
Mature-milk samples were collected from each lactating mother. The lipid components of each sample, namely triglycerides (TGs), cholesterol (C) and phospholipids (PLs) were determined enzymatically. After their separation and esterification, FAs were determined as FA methyl esters by capillary gas chromatography.


RESULTS
The percentages of n(3) LCPUFAs were 0.48+/-0.025, 0.37+/-0.029 and 0.38+/-0.018% for HU, LU and SU mothers, respectively. The amount of TGs, the major component of milk lipid, was 5.64+/-0.24, 5.21+/-1.61 and 3.21+/-0.92 g/100 ml for HU, SU and LU mothers, respectively. The milk-lipid content varied with the socioeconomic status.


CONCLUSIONS
The socioeconomic status of lactating mothers affected the lipid content and FA composition, especially the level of n(3) LCPUFAs (the very important structural constituents of the retina, brain and other nervous tissues). Mature breast-milk for the studied groups was low in n(3) LCPUFAs compared with that of mothers from developed countries and that recommended by WHO for optimum infant nutrition.


BACKGROUND
Supported by grants from Department of Chemistry, University of Mosul. The analysis of FA methyl ester samples was performed at the National Centre for Scientific Research, France.
Al-Tamer
Y Y
YY
Ninevah Medical College, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq. Yassar_altamer@yahoo.co.uk
Mahmood
A A
AA
D000328:Adult; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004032:Diet; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007493:Iraq; D007774:Lactation / Q000378:metabolism*; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis*; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000032:analysis; D012923:Social Class; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000032:analysis; D014505:Urban Population
D005227:Fatty Acids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D008055:Lipids; D010743:Phospholipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol