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Milk immunity and reproductive status among Ariaal women of northern Kenya.
Miller, Elizabeth M; McConnell, Daniel S.
Afiliación
  • Miller EM; Department of Anthropology, University of South Florida , Tampa, FL , USA and.
Ann Hum Biol ; 42(1): 76-83, 2015 Jan.
Article en En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25154290
ABSTRACT
UNLABELLED Abstract

Background:

The immune factors in human milk protect infants from infection and promote immune development. Evidence suggests that the production of milk-specific immunoproteins is energetically costly, making them a form of maternal investment in offspring health that is subject to life history trade-offs.

AIM:

This research tests the relationship between measures of reproductive effort and the production of milk immunoglobulin A (IgA) among Ariaal women, a settled northern Kenyan pastoralist population that experiences nutritional and disease stress. SUBJECTS AND

METHODS:

Two hundred and forty-three lactating Ariaal women participated in a questionnaire, anthropometric measurement and milk collection. Milk IgA was analysed using ELISA.

RESULTS:

There was a significant U-shaped relationship between post-partum months and milk IgA, reflecting decreasing investment in the current offspring over the early post-partum period and subsequent recovery of maternal energy status near the end. There was also a significant inverse U-shaped relationship between milk IgA and parity, with high parity women showing a drop in milk IgA. In contrast, anthropometric measures of energy status were not associated with the production of milk IgA.

CONCLUSION:

This research shows that patterns of reproductive investment can be demonstrated in milk IgA in the absence of measured energy changes.
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Texto completo: 1 Colección: 01-internacional Banco de datos: MEDLINE Asunto principal: Inmunoglobulina A / Factores Inmunológicos / Leche Humana Límite: Adult / Female / Humans / Infant País/Región como asunto: Africa Idioma: En Revista: Ann Hum Biol Año: 2015 Tipo del documento: Article

Texto completo: 1 Colección: 01-internacional Banco de datos: MEDLINE Asunto principal: Inmunoglobulina A / Factores Inmunológicos / Leche Humana Límite: Adult / Female / Humans / Infant País/Región como asunto: Africa Idioma: En Revista: Ann Hum Biol Año: 2015 Tipo del documento: Article