The secretory dynamics of Na⁺ and K⁺ in the breast milk of Nigerian women at term.

Abstract

We investigated the secretory dynamics of Na⁺, K⁺ and lactose in the breast milk of 233 lactating Nigerian women and compared our findings with established data in Caucasian women living in temperate regions. We assessed the ions and lactose secretion by measuring their daily mean levels in both the colostrum and mature milk at day light hours. The mean Na⁺/K⁺ ratio in the breast milk was 1:2 at all lactational ages, compared to 1:2 or 1:3 in the colostrum or mature milk reported in the Caucasian women, respectively. The mean concentrations of Na⁺ and K⁺ were lower than values reported for the Caucasians. A significant change in Na⁺ and lactose secretion, regarded as an important marker of the beginning of stage II of lactogenesis, was observed about the 4th day of lactation. Mean Na⁺ and lactose concentrations at the beginning of the second stage of lactogenesis were 17.0 mmol/L and 8.5g/100ml, respectively.


KEY WORDS: Breast milk, Na⁺, K⁺, Secretory dynamics, Nigerian women


Journal of Biomedical Investigation 2004;2(1): 22-25