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Total IgE levels in human colostrum
Author(s) -
Duchén K.,
Björkstén B.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
pediatric allergy and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.269
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1399-3038
pISSN - 0905-6157
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3038.1996.tb00104.x
Subject(s) - colostrum , immunoglobulin e , medicine , antibody , immunology , breast milk , atopy , allergy , biology , biochemistry
The aim of this study was to assess the total IgE levels in the supernatants and cellular components of colostrum from atopic and nonatopic mothers. Immunoglobulin E protein was detected in 34/39 milk samples, with a median level of 0. 3 μg/1. In 13 mothers, IgE protein was also detected in the cellular fraction of colostrum, with a median level of 0. 13 μg/1. Of the total IgE content in breast milk, 5‐12% was transported intracellularly. The total IgE antibody levels were similar in both milk supernatants and cells from atopic and nonatopic mothers. There was a strong relationship between total IgE antibody levels in serum and in breast milk ( r = 1. 0, p <0.001), suggesting that IgE antibodies were passively transported from blood into breast milk. The levels of total IgE in human milk are probably too low to have a significant effect on the regulation of the IgE antibody levels in the neonate.