Abstract
A review on antimicrobial systems in milk (human, animal) is presented. Topics discussed include specific inhibition (immunoglobulins, cellular immunity, phagocytosis, complement), nonspecific inhibition (lysozyme, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase/thiocyanate/H2O2 system), effect of conditions in the gastrointestinal tract, saliva, adsorption of antibacterial factors to bacteria, and a case for natural feeding of infants.