IMMUNOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF HUMAN COLOSTRUM AND MILK .3. FATE AND ABSORPTION OF CELLULAR AND SOLUBLE COMPONENTS IN GASTROINTESTINAL-TRACT OF NEWBORN

Abstract

A group of formula-fed infants were administered a single feed of poliovirus Ig[immunoglobulin]A antibody-rich human colostrum 18-72 h after birth. Subsequently, the pressure of IgG, IgA and IgM and poliovirus antibody activity was determined in serial serum and fecal samples of the neonates. Absorption of IgA from the colostrum to the circulation was observed in 3 infants who were fed with colostrum between 18 and 24 h after birth. Another group of infants of tuberculin-positive mothers who were being breast fed by their own mothers were followed for the development of in vitro correlates of cell-medited immunity against tuberculin after prolonged breast feeding. Tuberculin-specific proliferative response was observed in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 2 neonates after 5 wk of breast feeding. The responses were undetectable after 12 wk, although the infants continued to breast feed. No tuberculin reactivity was observed in the cord lymphocytes. Uptake of IgA and components of cellular immunity in the intestine during the immediate neonatal period was suggested.