The content of heavy metals in women’s breast milk and its protective factors

The content of Pb, Cr, Cd, Sb and As was analyzed in breast milk and its protective factors (phagocytosis of breast milk macrophages, lysozyme concentrations, SIgA, IgA, IgM, IgG) of 72 women. There were 52 women with somatic and gynecological diseases. 24 women of them had an increased level of heavy metals in breast milk, and it did not exceed the norm in 28 women. 20 healthy women had a normal composition of the chemical elements of breast milk. The average concentration of IgG, IgM and the phagocytic activity of breast milk macrophages decreased by 1.4-1.8 times among women with a high content of heavy metals in comparison with healthy women. There was a decreased IgM content and the dysfunction of phagocytes in women with various somatic and / or gynecological diseases, but with a normal composition of heavy metals in breast milk. The phagocytes were 2-3.6 times less and significantly less pronounced than in women with a modified composition of breast milk. The frequency of IgG low concentrations was 1.5 times higher in breast milk with a high content of heavy metals. Thus, the protective factors of milk were significantly reduced in women whose heavy metals (Pb and Cr) content was increased and / or they were present in milk in combination with Cd, Sb, As.