Source of Maternal Milk Zinc for Absorption by Suckling Rats

Abstract

Summary

These data show that when an adequate diet is provided to the dam during lactation less than 10% of the zinc in her milk is zinc which was present in her body at parturition. It can be inferred that 90% or more of the zinc ingested by rat pups via their mothers' milk originates from the dams' current dietary sources. Dietary zinc is rapidly turned over by the lactating dam, who secretes as much as 60% of the zinc she absorbs into her milk. Zinc in body stores, which was acquired before pregnancy and lactation, is turned over much more slowly.