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Milk immunoglobulins and complement factors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

Hannu Korhonen ,
P. Marnila  and
H. S. Gill
Hannu Korhonen*
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Centre of Finland, Food Research, FIN-31600 Jokioinen, Finland
P. Marnila
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Centre of Finland, Food Research, FIN-31600 Jokioinen, Finland
H. S. Gill
Affiliation:
Milk and Health Research Centre, Massey University and New Zealand Dairy Research Institute, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, New Zealand
*
*Corresponding author: Hannu Korhonen, fax +358-3-4188 3244, email hannu.j.korhonen@mtt.fi
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Abstract

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The importance of colostrum for the growth and health of newborn offspring is well known. In bovine colostrum, the antibody (immunoglobulin) complement system provides a major antimicrobial effect against a wide range of microbes and confers passive immunity until the calf's own immune system has matured. Bovine serum and lacteal secretions contain three major classes of immunoglobulins: IgG, IgM and IgA. The immunoglobulins are selectively transported from the serum into the mammary gland, as a result of which the first colostrum contains very high concentrations of immunoglobulins (40–200 mg/ml). IgG1 accounts for over 75 % of the immunoglobulins in colostral whey, followed by IgM, IgA and IgG2. All these immunoglobulins decrease within a few days to a total immunoglobulin concentration of 0.7–1.0 mg/ml, with IgG1 representing the major Ig class in milk throughout the lactation period. Together with the antibodies absorbed from colostrum after birth, the complement system plays a crucial role in the passive immunisation of the newborn calf. The occurrence of haemolytic or bactericidal complement activity in bovine colostrum and milk has been demonstrated in several studies. This review deals with the characteristics of bovine Igs and the complement system to be exploited as potential ingredients for health-promoting functional foods.

Keywords

MilkColostrumImmunoglobulinsComplementAntimicrobial activity
Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 84 , Issue S1 , November 2000 , pp. 75 - 80
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2000

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