Interferon Production by Lymphocytes in Human Milk

Abstract

Despite their limited ability to synthesize immunoglobulins (only IgA and not IgM or IgG) lymphocytes of human colostrum and human breast milk can be stimulated by Newcastle disease virus to produce interferon in the same amount as do blood lymphocytes. The maximum interferon production by milk lymphocytes was found on the 4th and the 5th day postpartum.