Variation in levels of immunoglobulins in breast milk

ABSTRACT

In this longitudinal study, we aimed to determine the concentrations of the major immunoglobulins, namely IgA, IgM and IgG in colostrum [2-4 days] and in mature milk at 4-8 weeks and at 5-6 months of lactating mothers. In this regard sixteen lactating mothers were recruited from a poor urban district in Giza and 3 milk samples were collected from each mother over a period of 6 months. The analysis was performed by single radial immunodiffusion technique. The data revealed that immunoglobulin concentrations were higher in colostrum compared to mature milk [P<0.001]. Also IgA was the predominant immunoglobulin throughout the stages of lactation while IgG was present in the least concentration. No significant correlation was found between the age of the mother and immunoglobulin concentrations, while weak significant correlation was found between the parity of the mother and IgM in colostrum [P<0.05]. We concluded that passive immunity provided to the infants by immunoglobulins [especially IgA] in breast milk is particularly important during the early neonatal period