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Effect of exercise on milk immunoglobulin A
R L Gregory1, J P Wallace, L E Gfell
1Department of Oral Biology, Indiana University Indianapolis 46202-5186, USA. RGREGORY@IUSD.IUPUI.EDU
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|February 12, 1998
Summary
Maximal exercise temporarily reduces immunoglobulin A (IgA) in breast milk for 10-30 minutes. However, IgA levels recover within one hour, indicating a transient effect of exhaustive exercise on maternal milk
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Exercise Physiology
- Human Lactation
Background:
- Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is the primary antibody in human secretions, crucial for mucosal immunity.
- While breast milk's immune properties are known, the impact of maximal exercise on its IgA content is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of maximal exercise on breast milk IgA and its subclasses.
- To determine the time course of IgA changes post-exercise.
Main Methods:
- Seventeen lactating women provided breast milk samples before and after randomized exercise or control periods.
- Maximal graded treadmill tests were administered.
- Milk samples were collected at rest, and at 10, 30, and 60 minutes post-intervention.
- IgA concentrations were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Main Results:
- Breast milk IgA concentrations were significantly lower at 10 and 30 minutes post-maximal exercise compared to control rest periods.
- IgA levels returned to baseline by 60 minutes post-exercise, indicating recovery.
- IgA1 subclass showed a similar transient decrease, while IgA2 remained unchanged.
- Breast emptying, in both exercise and control groups, stimulated IgA synthesis.
Conclusions:
- Maximal exercise transiently reduces breast milk IgA and IgA1 concentrations for up to 30 minutes.
- Milk IgA levels recover within one hour following exhaustive exercise.
- These findings support the influence of exercise on the maternal mucosal immune system.