Abstract:

The present experiment was conducted to explore the effect of supplemental lutein on the serum concentrations of
IgG, IgA and IgM, the mRNA expression of IgA C-region and the number of IgA antibody-secreting cells (ASC) in breast
of maternal mice as well as IgA concentration in stomach contents of neonatal mice. Maternal mice were fed rodent feed or
50 mg/kg lutein-supplemented rodent feed during pregnancy and after parturition. The serum concentrations of IgG and
IgA increased significantly at 21 days of pregnancy and at 7 days after parturition (P < 0.05), but IgM concentration and the
mRNA expression of IgA C-region were not significantly affected by lutein supplementation (P > 0.05). The number
of IgA ASC at 14 days after parturition (P < 0.05) and the IgA concentration in stomach contents of neonatal mice at 7 and
14 days after parturition were enhanced markedly (P < 0.01) in response to lutein supplemention. These results indicated that
supplemental lutein for maternal mice is effective in enhancing the secretion of IgA in mammary glands.

Key words: maternal mouse, lutein, mammary glands, IgA