A study of the antenatal secretion of the human mammary gland and a comparison between this and the secretion obtained directly after birth

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Abstract
The protein, sugar, ash, Ca, P and Cl content of the antenatal secretion from 53 women attending clinics and hospitals (78 specimens), compared with the recorded constituents of specimens obtained during the first 10 days after parturition, showed a true difference in the secretory activity in the gland before and after labor. The %s of protein, ash, and Cl were all much higher than those obtained after labor, while those of sugar, Ca and P were lower. The low P % is particularly striking; an explanation based on Bar''s work is offered. The prenatal fluid shows 3 distinct types depending on differences in viscosity; a correlation appears to exist between the viscosity and the % of protein and of sugar in the secretion. Probably, as has been shown for cows, the high % of protein before birth and the viscosity of the fluid are due to the fact that a large proportion of protein is present in the form of globulin.

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