Effects of supplemental β-carotene with whey on IgA transfer from maternal milk and mucosal IgA induction in neonatal mice and calves

Data from 17 pregnant mice and 33 Japanese Black calves were collected to clarify the effect of supplemental β-carotene with whey on IgA transfer from maternal milk and mucosal IgA induction in neonatal mice and calves. Dietary treatments in milk replacers were 1) 26% CP as in skim milk (control), 2) 26% CP as whey and 3) 26% CP as whey and 30 mg/kg β-carotene. Diets were offered from 6.5 days postcoitus to 14 days postpartum in pregnant mice and from 3 to 63 days postpartum in calves. Supplemental β-carotene with whey increased the numbers of IgA antibody secreting cells (ASC) in the mammary gland in maternal mice and IgA concentration in stomach contents in neonatal mice at 14 days postpartum, which was the consequence of the higher IgA transfer from maternal milk to neonates. The number of IgA ASC in the mammary gland in maternal mice fed whey was higher than that of control mice, but intestinal IgA concentration of neonatal mice was not affected by treatments. Supplemental β-carotene with whey drastically increased serum β-carotene concentration in calves at 14 and 42 days postpartum. Supplemental β-carotene with whey had no effects on fecal IgA concentration and fecal water in calves. These results suggest that β-carotene supplementation with whey to maternal mice during pregnancy and lactation enhances IgA transfer from maternal milk to neonates, but supplemental β-carotene has little effect on mucosal IgA induction in neonatal mice and calves.