Biomaterial Database

Zinc and copper contents in breast milk of Japanese women. 1982

A Higashi, and T Ikeda, and I Uehara, and I Matsuda

Longitudinal studies of zinc and copper contents of breast milk were performed in 65 Japanese mothers during their lactation period until 5 months postpartum. They experienced no problems during pregnancy and at delivery. All women had full term healthy infants. Forty-five were multiparous and 20 primiparous. The highest level of zinc content was found in the colostrum, and subsequently the levels declined (p less than 0.005), as lactation progressed. Copper content was stable during the first month of lactation, and then declined gradually (p less than 0.005). Both mineral levels in breast milk ranged with great variance among the subjects at any stages of lactation. Significantly lower zinc level (p less than 0.01) and higher copper level (p less than 0.005) were found in the serum of lactating women three months postpartum, when compared with non-lactating control women. Factors including lactation history, age of lactating women, serum levels and contents of zinc and copper in the hair did not affect the contents of these trace minerals in the breast milk.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007564	Japan	A country in eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula. The capital is Tokyo.	Bonin Islands
D007774	Lactation	The processes of milk secretion by the maternal MAMMARY GLANDS after PARTURITION. The proliferation of the mammary glandular tissue, milk synthesis, and milk expulsion or let down are regulated by the interactions of several hormones including ESTRADIOL; PROGESTERONE; PROLACTIN; and OXYTOCIN.	Lactation, Prolonged,Milk Secretion,Lactations, Prolonged,Milk Secretions,Prolonged Lactation,Prolonged Lactations
D008895	Milk, Human	Milk that is produced by HUMAN MAMMARY GLANDS.	Breast Milk,Human Milk,Milk, Breast
D011247	Pregnancy	The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH.	Gestation,Pregnancies
D003126	Colostrum	The thin, yellow, serous fluid secreted by the mammary glands during pregnancy and immediately postpartum before lactation begins. It consists of immunologically active substances, white blood cells, water, protein, fat, and carbohydrates.	Colostrums
D003300	Copper	A heavy metal trace element with the atomic symbol Cu, atomic number 29, and atomic weight 63.55.	Copper-63,Copper 63
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D015032	Zinc	A metallic element of atomic number 30 and atomic weight 65.38. It is a necessary trace element in the diet, forming an essential part of many enzymes, and playing an important role in protein synthesis and in cell division. Zinc deficiency is associated with ANEMIA, short stature, HYPOGONADISM, impaired WOUND HEALING, and geophagia. It is known by the symbol Zn.