Effect of whey hydrolysate formula on the transfer of beta-lactoglobulin into serum and milk in mice

This study was performed to elucidate the effect of whey hydrolysate formul a on the transfer of an antigen into serum and milk, The concentrations of beta-lactoglobulin in serum and milk were positively correlated (p < 0.01). The concentration of beta-lactoglobulin in serum tended to become low in t he mouse and to be accompanied with a high level of fecal anti-beta-lactogl obulin IgA concentration. The fecal anti-beta-lactoglobulin IgA of mice fed hydrolysate formula for 12 weeks was significantly higher than that of the control formula-fed mice (p<0.05). These results suggest that a high level of intestinal IgA elicited by the feeding of hydrolysate formula may reduc e the transfer of beta-lactoglobulin into serum and milk.