Milk immunity and reproductive status among Ariaal women of northern Kenya.
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 ANDMETHODS:
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.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Inmunoglobulina A
/
Factores Inmunológicos
/
Leche Humana
Límite:
Adult
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Female
/
Humans
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Infant
País/Región como asunto:
Africa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Ann Hum Biol
Año:
2015
Tipo del documento:
Article