Biomaterial Database

Trace metal studies in Bushman hair. 1976

N Baumslag

Bushman women appear to have sufficient stores of iron and zinc during pregnancy and lactation; as a result, iron deficiency anemia is rare in Bushman women, even in pregnancy. Hair samples from Bushman women (young nonpregnant, lactating, and postmenopausal) and men were analyzed for iron, zinc, and copper content. Values obtained were compared with those for groups of Bantu and American inner-city mothers. Mean iron levels in the hair were found to be high (173 ppm) for lactating Bushman women, as compared with 43.2 ppm in the group of Bantu women, and 22.9 ppm in the group of American inner-city women. Zinc levels also were higher in the Bushman women. Mean copper values were much higher in the American inner-city mothers (19.9 ppm) than in the Bushman women (8.0 ppm) or in the lactating Bantu women (9.9 ppm). The sum of the metals may be more important than the individual concentrations.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007501	Iron	A metallic element with atomic symbol Fe, atomic number 26, and atomic weight 55.85. It is an essential constituent of HEMOGLOBINS; CYTOCHROMES; and IRON-BINDING PROTEINS. It plays a role in cellular redox reactions and in the transport of OXYGEN.	Iron-56,Iron 56
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
D008297	Male		Males
D008593	Menopause	The last menstrual period. Permanent cessation of menses (MENSTRUATION) is usually defined after 6 to 12 months of AMENORRHEA in a woman over 45 years of age. In the United States, menopause generally occurs in women between 48 and 55 years of age.	Change of Life, Female
D009820	Ohio	State bounded on the north by Michigan and Lake Erie, on the east by Ohio River and Pennsylvania, on the south by Ohio River, and on the west by Indiana.
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
D001902	Botswana	A republic in southern Africa, between NAMIBIA and ZAMBIA. It was formerly called Bechuanaland. Its capital is Gaborone. The Kalahari Desert is in the west and southwest.	Bechuanaland,Kalahari
D003300	Copper	A heavy metal trace element with the atomic symbol Cu, atomic number 29, and atomic weight 63.55.	Copper-63,Copper 63
D005006	Ethnicity	A group of people with a common cultural heritage that sets them apart from others in a variety of social relationships.	Ethnic Groups,Nationality,Ethnic Group,Nationalities
D005260	Female		Females