Antibodies in milk

Abstract

The lactating human breast is a large scale producer of a form of antibody which is particularly adapted to protecting mucosal surfaces. The breast is part of a generalized mucosal-associated lymphoid system which permits immunization of the breast against organisms experienced by the mother as a result of colonization of the intestine and other sites. This secretory antibody-producing system in the breast is conserved throughout a very wide range of species and therefore appears to be of evolutionary importance. The possibility now exists for manipulating the production of antibodies in breast milk by immunization. Many other constituents of milk are also important in protecting the neonate against infection. These factors, like antibodies, may be damaged by processing milk: if milk must be fed to infants by an indirect route, it should be treated in ways which preserve these fragile but important components (Björksten et al., 1980).