Abstract
In spite of a low iron content in human milk, breast-fed infants maintain adequate iron status significantly longer than formula-fed infants consuming similar amounts of iron [21, 22]. This indicates a high bioavailability of human milk iron. As the major iron-binding protein in human milk, lactoferrin has been postulated to be involved in the process of iron absorption in the suckling infant. An intestinal lactoferrin receptor was first described by Cox et al. following studies demonstrating delivery of iron from human lactoferrin (but not from transferrin), to human mucosal tissue [8]. Fransson et al. [14] found significantly faster uptake of radioiron into red blood cells of suckling piglets from a formula supplemented with bovine lactoferrin as compared with ferrous sulfate. Subsequent work has identified lactoferrin receptors in rabbit and mouse intestine [15, 20].
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.