Zinc and copper contents in breast milk of japanese women.

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Abstract
Longitudinal studies of Zn and Cu contents of breast milk were performed in 65 Japanese mothers during their lactation period until 5 mo. postpartum. They experienced no problems during pregnancy and at delivery. All women had full-term healthy infants. A total of 45 were multiparous and 20 were primiparous. The highest level of Zn content was found in the colostrum, and the levels declined (P < 0.005) as lactation progressed. Cu content was stable during the 1st mo. of lactation and then declined gradually (P < 0.005). Both mineral levels in breast milk ranged with great variance among the subjects at any stages of lactation. Significantly lower Zn level (P < 0.01) and higher Cu level (P < 0.005) were found in the serum of lactating women 3 mo. postpartum when compared with nonlactating control women. Factors including lactation history, age of lactating women, serum levels and contents of Zn and Cu in the hair did not affect the contents of these trace minerals in the breast milk.
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