[Various indicators of iron metabolism during lactation]

Milk levels of iron, the iron-binding protein lactoferrin, percentage of iron in this protein have been estimated in 288 milk samples of normal lactating women. Milk iron concentrations varied within the first day and declined with time of lactation. Similar patterns of change were characteristic for lactoferrin which was highest in milk during the 1st month of lactation but steadily fell by the end of lactation. Iron percentage in lactoferrin remained low during one year of lactation, suggesting a bacteriostatic function of milk lactoferrin.