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THE ABSORPTION OF SERUM ALBUMIN AND CASEIN FROM THE MAMMARY GLAND OF THE MERINO EWE
Author(s) -
Lascelles A. K.
Publication year - 1962
Publication title -
quarterly journal of experimental physiology and cognate medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1469-445X
pISSN - 0033-5541
DOI - 10.1113/expphysiol.1962.sp001574
Subject(s) - mammary gland , casein , albumin , lymph , urine , lymphatic system , medicine , endocrinology , serum albumin , blood stream , chemistry , lactation , biology , pathology , biochemistry , pregnancy , genetics , cancer , breast cancer
Experiments have been carried out to determine the way in which 131 I human serum albumin ( 131 I HSA) and 131 I casein are removed from the mammary gland when milk is allowed to accumulate in the gland. Lactating merino ewes with the mammary lymphatic duct cannulated were used in these experiments. The labelled proteins were introduced into the mammary gland through the teat duct and milk was allowed to accumulate in the gland. Lymph, plasma and urine samples were collected during the next 7–14 days. The results suggested that 131 I HSA was absorbed from the mammary gland without being broken down and was removed largely by way of the lymphatics. It also appeared that casein was absorbed from the mammary gland and entered the interstitial pool without being broken down. However, the casein was rapidly transferred from the interstitial fluid into the blood stream. 131 I casein when introduced intravenously into lactating ewes rapidly left the blood and entered the lymph, milk and urine suggesting that the casein in the blood existed as a small molecule. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to the physico‐chemical forms in which casein occurs in the body fluids.