Patterns of milk macronutrients and bioactive molecules across lactation in a western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) and a Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii)

In addition to nutrients, milk contains signaling molecules that influence offspring development. Human milk is similar in nutrient composition to that of apes, but appears to differ in other aspects such as immune function. We examine the longitudinal patterns across lactation of macronutrients, the metabolic hormone adiponectin, the growth factors epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor β2 (TGF‐β2), and two receptors for these growth factors (EGF‐R and TGF‐β2‐RIII) in milk samples collected between days 175 and 313 postpartum from a Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) and between days 3 and 1,276 from a western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla), and compare the results with human data from the literature. Milk macronutrients and hormones were measured using standard nutritional assays and commercially available enzyme immunoassay kits. Ape milk fat content was lower than human milk values, but protein and sugar were similar. Concentrations of all bioactive molecules were consistently detectable except for TGF‐β2 in orangutan milk. Concentrations of adiponectin, EGF, and TGF‐β2 in both ape milks were lower than found in human breast milk. Concentrations declined with infant age in orangutan milk; in gorilla milk concentrations were high in the first months, and then declined to stable levels until 2–3 years after birth when they increased. However, when expressed on a per energy basis milk constituent values did not differ with age for o...

Source: American Journal of Primatology - October 22, 2016 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Michael L. Power, Jay Schulkin, Heather Drought, Lauren A. Milligan, Katie L. Murtough, Robin M. Bernstein Tags: Research Article Source Type: research