Milk fat globule membrane supplementation protects againstβ-lactoglobul-ininduced food allergy in mice via upregulation of regulatory T cells and enhancement of intestinal barrier in a microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids manner

Milk fat globule membrane(MFGM),which contains abundant glycoproteins and phospholipids,exerts beneficial effects on intestinal health and immunomodulation.The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects and possible underlying mechanisms of MFGM on cow’s milk allergy(CMA)in aβ-lactoglobulin(BLG)-induced allergic mice model.MFGM was supplemented to allergic mice induced by BLG at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight.Results demonstrated that MFGM alleviated food allergy symptoms,decreased serum levels of lipopolysaccharide,pro-inflammatory cytokines,immunoglobulin(Ig)E,Ig G1,and Th2 cytokines including interleukin(IL)-4,while increased serum levels of Th1 cytokines including interferon-γand regulatory T cells(Tregs)cytokines including IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β.MFGM modulated gut microbiota and enhanced intestinal barrier of BLG-allergic mice,as evidenced by decreased relative abundance of Desulfobacterota,Rikenellaceae,Lachnospiraceae,and Desulfovibrionaceae,while increased relative abundance of Bacteroidetes,Lactobacillaceae and Muribaculaceae,and enhanced expressions of tight junction proteins including Occludin,Claudin-1 and zonula occludens-1.Furthermore,MFGM increased fecal short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)levels,which elevated G protein-coupled receptor(GPR)43 and GPR109A expressions.The increased expressions of GPR43 and GPR109A induced CD103+dendritic cells accumulation and promoted Tregs differentiation in mesenteric lymph node to a certain extent.In summary,MFGM alleviated CMA in a BLG-induced allergic mice model through enhancing intestinal barrier and promoting Tregs differentiation,which may be correlated with SCFAs-mediated activation of GPRs.These findings suggest that MFGM may be useful as a promising functional ingredient against CMA.

Effect of dietary phosphorus content on milk production and phosphorus excretion in dairy cows

Background：Phosphorus（P） supplementation is costly and can result in excess P excretion.This study investigated the effects of reducing dietary P on milk production and P excretion in dairy cows over a full lactation.Method：Forty-five multiparous Holstein dairy cows were divided into 15 blocks according to expected calving date and previous milk yield,and assigned randomly to one of the three dietary treatments：0.37,0.47,and 0.57%P（DM basis）;these P levels represent the NRC recommendations,Chinese recommendations,and the amount of dietary P commonly fed by Chinese dairy farmers,respectively.Average daily feed intake was calculated from monthly data on feed offered and refused.Milk yields of individual cows were recorded weekly,and milk samples were taken for analysis of protein,fat,solids-not-fat,lactose,and somatic cell count.Blood samples were collected on days-6,-3,0,3,6 relative to calving,and then monthly throughout lactation,and analyzed for P and Ca concentrations.Spot samples of feces and urine were collected for 3 consecutive d during weeks 12,24,and 36,and P concentrations were analyzed.Reproduction and health data were recorded.Results：Dietary P did not affect dry matter intake or milk yield（P〉 0.10）.Milk fat content was slightly higher in cows fed 0.37%P than in cows fed 0.47%P（P = 0.05）.Serum concentrations of P and Ca did not reflect dietary P content（P〉 0.10）.Fecal and urinary P both declined linearly（P〈 0.05） as dietary P decreased from 0.57 to0.37%.Fecal P content was 25%less when dietary P was 0.37%compared to 0.57%.Health events and reproductive performance were not associated with dietary P content（P〉 0.05）.Conclusions：Lowering dietary P from 0.57 to 0.37%did not negatively affect milk production,but did significantly reduce P excretion into environment.

Questionnaire and Intervention Study on Effects of Drinking Cows’ Milk at Breakfast on the Circadian Typology and Mental Health of Japanese Infants Aged 1 - 6 Years

This study examines relationship between drinking cows’ milk at breakfast and several mental and physical characteristics (the diurnal type, sleep habits and mental condition as anger, out of control of emotion, irritation and depression) of Japanese small children aged 1 - 6 years old. A questionnaire study and an intervention one were performed in this study. An integrated questionnaire was administered, in July 2014 to 1112 participants attending one of 10 nursery school and 1 kindergarten located in Kochi (33°N, 133°E), Japan, and 582 parents (mostly mothers) which answered it instead of children (rate of answer: 51.9%). Intervention was done to 111 children attending the kindergarten. Seventy six parents answered the questionnaire which was administered 3 months after the intervention days of 21 (rate of answer: 51.9%). There are two contents of intervention, one is the distribution of cows’ milk for 21 days to be drunk at breakfast and another is the distribution of leaflet entitled “Go to bed early! Get up early! and Take nutritionally rich breakfast and cows’ milk!” just before the intervention. Just before the intervention, letter was distributed to 111 parents who were asked for their children to follow the contents of the leaflet and drink the cows’ milk distributed every day for the 21 days. Small children who drink cows’ milk at breakfast more than once per week and take nutritionally rich breakfast more than 4 times per week are more morning-typed than the other three groups in which children fit into one or none of the two issues of taking morning cows’ milk and rich breakfast (p p = 0.004). Also there was positive correlation between the implementation value for the 21 days and the diurnal type score 3 months later (r = 0.301, p = 0.018). Drinking cows’ milk at breakfast seems to be effective for small children to become more morning-typed through two sets of syntheses from tryptophan via serotonin into melatonin in the evening.

A Study on the Correlation of Milk Yield of Cows with Seismicity and ULF Magnetic Field Variations

A statistical study on the basis of one-year data of 2014 has been performed in order to find whether abnormal animal behavior is related with seismic activity and also whether the ULF (Ultra Low Frequency) electromagnetic radiation might be a possible sensory mechanism of abnormal animal behavior. Abnormal animal behavior has been studied with the use of digitally recorded milk yield of cows at Ibaraki Prefecture Livestock Station, and the ULF magnetic field changes have been studied with the data at a magnetic observatory of Kakioka. As the result of correlation analyses, clear responses are observed for both the milk yield of cows and ULF magnetic field changes (both ULF radiation (ULF emissions from the lithosphere) and ULF depression (as an indicator of lower ionospheric perturbations)) for most powerful and not distant earthquakes (EQs) with magnitude > 6, that is, the milk yield of cows is found to exhibit a conspicuous depletion about 17 - 18 days before an EQ, though the correlation coefficient is not so big. Another important objective in this paper is to identify that ULF radiation is the main agent of abnormal behavior so that we have compared the temporal evolutions of milk yield of cows, ULF radiation and ULF depression for three major EQs. As a result, it is found that ULF radiation happens, at least, during the periods of abnormal depletion of milk yield of cows.

Commercialization of Cow Milk Production in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia

Livestock plays a vital role in the livelihood of many people in Ethiopia. However, a number of challenges hindered the development of the dairy sector along with its commercialization. Advancing commercialization of the rural generations was a foundation of the advancement and poverty reduction policies of Ethiopia. Cross-sectional data from 385 randomly selected households in Eastern Ethiopia were used in this study to assess the commercialization of cow milk producers. Descriptive statistics and the two limit Tobit econometric models were used to analyze the data. The average commercialization index was 0.434, indicating that each household sold 43.4 percent of the milk produced during the survey period. Ownership of improved breed cow, cooperative participation, access to market information, and quantity of milk produce influenced milk commercialization positively, but household size and distance to the nearest market influenced it negatively. The study suggests strengthening policies to improve rural family planning, strengthening farmer cooperatives to reinforce knowledge sharing among farmers for enhancing farmer resource endowment, and promoting improved breed varieties. The commercialization of milk producers will also expand as a result of policies that try to lower the transaction costs of accessing markets, improve the capacity of rural institutions, and encourage value addition and market links among various market players.

Bisphenol A in Fluid and Powdered Milk Samples and Associated Child Dietary Exposures

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic chemical found in a wide range of consumer products and consumables that humans are exposed to. The aim of this study was to determine BPA contamination levels in 51 milk samples sold in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Region, Brazil. Bisphenol A was detected (≥limit of detection, LOD) in five of the analyzed samples (9.8%) and quantified (≥limit of quantification, LOQ) in two (3.8%). The estimated daily intake (EDI) for children aged up to 12 months ranged from 24.95 to 97.72 ng/kg body weight/day, lower than the established European Union tolerable daily intake value. Recent evidence, however, suggests that even low doses of endocrine disruptors such as BPA may pose potential health risks, even more so when exposure occurs at such an early life stage.

Dietary polyphenols reduced the allergenicity ofβ-lactoglobulin via non-covalent interactions:a study on the structure-allergenicity relationship

Studies showed that complexation of polyphenols with milk allergens reduced their immunogenic potential.However,the relationship between structures of polyphenols and their hypoallergenic effects on milk allergens in association with physiological and conformational changes of the complexes remain unclear.In this study,polyphenols from eight botanical sources were extracted to prepare non-covalent complexes withβ-lactoglobulin(β-LG),a major allergen in milk.The dominant phenolic compounds bound toβ-LG with a diminished allergenicity were identified to investigate their respective role on the structural and allergenic properties ofβ-LG.Extracts from Vaccinium fruits and black soybeans were found to have great inhibitory effects on the IgE-and IgG-binding abilities ofβ-LG.Among the fourteen structure-related phenolic compounds,flavonoids and tannins with larger MWs and multi-hydroxyl substituents,notably rutin,EGCG,and ellagitannins were more potent to elicit changes on the conformational structures ofβ-LG to decrease the allergenicity of complexedβ-LG.Correlation analysis further demonstrated that a destabilized secondary structure and protein depolymerization caused by polyphenol-binding were closely related to the allergenicity property of formed complexes.This study provides insights into the understanding of structure-allergenicity relationship ofβ-LG-polyphenol interactions and would benefit the development of polyphenol-fortified matrices with hypoallergenic potential.

Treatment of rectal prolapse in children with cow milk injection sclerotherapy:30-year experience

AIM:To evaluate the role and our experience of injecti-on sclerotherapy with cow milk in the treatment of rectal prolapse in children. METHODS:In the last 30 years (1976-2006) we made 100 injections of sclerotherapy with cow milk in 86 chil-dren. In this study we included children who failed to respond to conservative treatment and we perform ope-rative treatment. RESULTS:In our study we included 86 children and in all of the patients we perform cow milk injection sclerot-herapy. In 95.3% (82 children) of patients sclerotherapy was successful. In 4 (4.7%) patients we had recurrent rectal prolapse where we performed operative treatment. Below 4 years we had 62 children (72%) and 24 older children (28%). In children who needed operative trea-tment we performed Thiersch operation and without any complications. CONCLUSION:Injection sclerotherapy with cow milk for treatment rectal prolapse in children is a simple and effective treatment for rectal prolapse with minimal com-plications.

Magnetic metal organic framework for pre-concentration of ampicillin from cow milk samples

The aim of this study is a present of a simple solvothermal synthesis approach to preparation of Cu-based magnetic metal organic framework(MMOF)and subsequently its application as sorbent for ultrasound assisted magnetic solid phase extraction(UAMSPE)of ampicillin(AMP)from cow milk samples prior to high performance liquid chromatography-Ultraviolet(HPLC-UV)determination.Characteristics of prepared MMOF were fully investigated by different techniques which showed the exclusive properties of proposed sorbent in terms of proper functionality,desirable magnetic property and also high specific surface area.Different influential factors on extraction recovery including sorbent dosage,ultrasonic time,washing solvent volume and eluent solvent volume were assessed using central composite design(CCD)based response surface methodology(RSM)as an operative and powerful optimization tool.This is the first report for determination of AMP using MMOF.The proposed method addressed some drawbacks of other methods and sorbents for determination of AMP.The presented method decreases the extraction time(4 min)and also enhances adsorption capacity(250 mg/g).Moreover,the magnetic property of presented sorbent(15 emu/g)accelerates the extraction process which does not need filtration,centrifuge and precipitation procedures.Under the optimized conditions,the proposed method is applicable for linear range of 1.0-5000.0 μg/L with detection limit of 0.29 μg/L,satisfactory recoveries(≥95.0%)and acceptable repeatability(RSD less than 4.0%).The present study indicates highly promising perspectives of MMOF for highly effective analysis of AMP in complicated matrices.

Milk protein IgG and IgA:The association with milk-induced gastrointestinal symptoms in adults

AIM:To study the association between serum levels of milk protein IgG and IgA antibodies and milk-related gastrointestinal symptoms in adults.METHODS:Milk protein IgG and IgA antibodies were determined in serum samples of 400 subjects from five outpatient clinics in Southern Finland.Subjects were randomly selected from a total of 1900 adults undergoing laboratory investigations in primary care.All 400 participants had completed a questionnaire on abdominal symptoms and dairy consumption while waiting for the laboratory visit.The questionnaire covered the nature and frequency of gastrointestinal problems,the provoking food items,family history and allergies.Twelve serum samples were disqualifi ed due to insuff icient amount of sera.The levels of specif ic milk protein IgG and IgA were measured by using the ELISA technique.The association of the milk protein-specific antibody level was studied in relation to the milk-related gastrointestinal symptoms and dairy consumption.RESULTS:Subjects drinking milk(n=265) had higher levels of milk protein IgG in their sera than non-milk drinkers(n=123,P<0.001).Subjects with gastrointestinal problems related to milk drinking(n=119) consumed less milk but had higher milk protein IgG levels than those with no milk-related gastrointestinal symptoms(n=198,P=0.02).Among the symptomatic subjects,those reporting dyspeptic symptoms had lower milk protein IgG levels than non-dyspeptics(P<0.05).However,dyspepsia was not associated with milk drinking(P=0.5).The association of high milk protein IgG levels with constipation was close to the level of statistical signif icance.Diarrhea had no association with milk protein IgG level(P=0.5).With regard to minor symptoms,flatulence and bloating(P=0.8),were not associated with milk protein IgG level.Milk protein IgA levels did not show any association with milk drinking or abdominal symptoms.The levels of milk protein IgA and IgG declined as the age of the subjects increased(P<0.004).CONCLUSION:Milk protein IgG but not milk IgA seems to be associated with self-reported milk-induced gastrointestinal symptoms.

Fermented Goat Milk and Cow Milk Produced by Different Starters of Lactic Acid Bacteria： Quality Studies

Lactic acid bacteria （LAB） is widely used as culture starters in dairy fermentation. The aim of this study was to investigate the quality of fermented goat milk and cow milk, as well as the viability of LAB in the same products. Fermentations were performed with pasteurized goat milk or cow milk added with skim milk （18% of solids） using three separately different starters; yoghurt starter （a combination of Streptococcus thermophilus FNCC-0040 and Lactobacillus bulgaricus FNCC-0041）, single starter of Lactobacillus acidophilus FNCC-0029 and Lactobacillus casei FNCC-0051. The parameters observed were pH, acidity, nutritional quality including protein, fat and lactose content and product＇s viscosity. Acidity, pH and viability of LAB were also monitored during storage at refrigerated temperature （4 ℃） for 28 days. Results show that the different LAB starters did not affect the pH, acidity, lactose and protein content. Differences on LAB starters affected fat content and viscosity. The highest score of viscosity （30.00 Pa.s ± 7.02 Pa.s） was observed on products fermented by yoghurt starters, followed by products obtained using starter of L. acidophilus （17.7 ±11.4） and L. casei （8.62 ±0.35）. Protein content, acidity, pH and viscosity were not significantly different between products obtained from goat milk and cow milk. Fat content in fermented goat milk was higher （5.03% ±0.62%） than in fermented cow milk （3.52% ±0.37%）, however, lactose content was higher in fermented cow milk （5.16% ±0.40%） than in fermented goat milk （4.53% ±0.35%）. Total LAB concentration in fermented cow milk during storage was 8.03± 0.52 logt0 cfu/mL, while in fermented goat milk was 7.81 loglo cfu/mL ± 0.67 loglo cfu/mL. There was a 10.83% decrease in LAB viability in fermented cow milk and 11.40% in fermented goat milk after 28 days of storage. In conclusion, quality of fermented milk is affected by the starters applied, raw milk source and storage period.

Milk Consumption and Lactose Intolerance in Adults

Objective To investigate relations between milk consumption and lactose intolerance （LI） in adults and to explore the effect of milk consumption on lactase activity.Methods Total of 182 subjects aged 20‐70 years were recruited and interviewed by questionnaires,and their accumulative cow＇s milk intake （AMI） was calculated.LI was evaluated by hydrogen breath test （HBT）.Results A negative correlation was found between AMI and severity of observed LI symptom （r=-0.2884;P0.05）.Binary logistic regression analysis showed a negative correlation between LI and duration and frequency of milk consumption （OR,0.317 and 0.465,respectively;both P0.05） and a positive correlation between LI and amount of milk consumed per sitting （OR,6.337;P0.05）.Conclusion LI is related to various milk consumption behaviors.Most Chinese adults with LI may tolerate moderate milk consumption 160 mL.

Cow’s milk-induced gastrointestinal disorders:From infancy to adulthood

Milk is related to many gastrointestinal disorders from the cradle to the grave due to the many milk ingredients that can trigger gastrointestinal discomfort and disorders.Cow’s milk protein allergy(CMPA)is the most common food allergy,especially in infancy and childhood,which may persist into adulthood.There are three main types of CMPA;immunoglobulin E(IgE)-mediated CMPA,non-IgEmediated CMPA,and mixed type.CMPA appears before the first birthday in almost all cases.Symptoms may start even during the neonatal period and can be severe enough to simulate neonatal sepsis.CMPA(often non-IgE mediated)can present with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux,eosinophilic esophagitis,hemorrhagic gastritis,food protein-induced protein-losing enteropathy,and food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome.Most CMPAs are benign and outgrown during childhood.CMPA is not as common in adults as in children,but when present,it is usually severe with a protracted course.Lactose intolerance is a prevalent condition characterized by the development of many symptoms related to the consumption of foods containing lactose.Lactose intolerance has four typical types:Developmental,congenital,primary,and secondary.Lactose intolerance and CMPA may be the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms for many functional gastrointestinal disorders in children and adults.They are also common in inflammatory bowel diseases.Milk consumption may have preventive or promoter effects on cancer development.Milk may also become a source of microbial infection in humans,causing a wide array of diseases,and may help increase the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance.This editorial summarizes the common milk-related disorders and their symptoms from childhood to adulthood.

Fluorescence-based PCR Detection of Goat Milk Powder Mixed with Cow Milk

[Objectives]To amplify and identify the specific gene fragments of cattle and sheep by real-time fluorescence-based PCR,and quickly and accurately identify the adulteration problem of goat milk powder according to the differences of mitochondrial genes among different species.[Methods]The specificity,limit of detection and repeatability test were carried out by isolating somatic cells,extracting template DNA and determining the reaction conditions of real-time fluorescence-based PCR.[Results]The real-time fluorescence-based PCR method could be used to identify the bovine and ovine-derived materials of milk powder with high specificity,high sensitivity and good repeatability,and the limit of detection of milk components in goat milk powder could reach 0.01%.[Conclusions]The real-time fluorescence-based PCR method can be used to quickly and accurately detect the milk components in goat milk powder,and provide some technical support for the adulteration detection of dairy industry.

Challenges in enriching milk fat with polyunsaturated fatty acids

Milk fatty acid composition is determined by several factors including diet. The milk fatty acid profile of dairy cows is low in polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially those of the n-3 series. Efforts to change and influence fatty acid profile with longer chain polyunsaturated fatty acids have proven challenging. Several barriers prevent easy transfer of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids to milk fat including rumen biohydrogenation and fatty acid esterification. The potential for cellular uptake and differences in fatty acid incorporation into milk fat might also have an effect, though this has received less research effort. Given physiological impediments to enriching milk fat with polyunsaturated fatty acids, manipulating the genome of the cow might provide a greater increase than diet alone, but this too may be challenged by the physiology of the cow.

Effects of total replacement of corn silage with sorghum silage on milk yield,composition, and quality

Background： In the last years, difficulties occurring in corn cultivation（i.e., groundwater shortages, mycotoxin contamination） have been forcing dairy farmers to consider alternative silages. Some experiments conducted on lactating cows have proven that the total replacement of corn silage with sorghum silage did not reduce milk yield.However, this kind of substitution involves supplementing sorghum-based diets with grains, to compensate for the lower starch content of sorghum silage compared to corn silage. Change of silage type and inclusion of starch sources in the diet would influence rumen fermentations, with possible effects on milk composition（i.e., fatty acid profile） and coagulation properties. A worsening of milk coagulation properties would have a negative economic impact in Italy, where most of the milk produced is processed into cheese.This study was designed to compare milk composition and quality, with emphasis on fatty acid profile and coagulation properties, in dairy cows fed two diets based on corn or sorghum silage.Results： The sorghum diet reduced milk yield（P = 0.043） but not 4% fat corrected milk（P = 0.85）. Feeding sorghum silage did not influence milk contents of protein（P = 0.07） and lactose（P = 0.65）, and increased fat content（P = 0.024）.No differences emerged for milk concentrations of saturated（P = 0.61） and monounsaturated fatty acids（P = 0.50）,whereas polyunsaturated fatty acids were lower（P 〈 0.001） for the sorghum diet. Concentrations of n-6（P 〈 0.001） and n-3 fatty acids（P = 0.017） were lower in milk of cows fed the sorghum diet. Milk coagulation properties did not differ between the two diets, except the ＂a30＂（the curd firmness, expressed in mm, 30 min after rennet addition）, that was lower（P = 0.042） for the sorghum diet.Conclusions： Feeding a forage sorghum silage, properly supplemented with corn meal, as total replacement of corn silage maintained milk composition and did not influence negatively milk coagulation properties, which have a great economic relevance for the Italian dairy industry. Thus, silages obtained from forage sorghums could have a potential as substitute of corn silages in dairy cow diets.

Contents of Trace Metal Elements in Cow Milk Impacted by Different Feedstuffs

Feedstuff intake plays key role in impacting the yield and quality of milk. In this study, we discussed the contents of trace metal elements in cow milk impacted by different feedstuffs. We detected the contents of Pb, Cd, As, Cu, Mg, Ca, Fe and Zn in different feedstuffs and milk by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The determinations of Pb, Cd and As contents were by graphite furnace A_AS and Cu, Mg, Ca, Fe and Zn was by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed that Pb, Cd, As and Cu presented in feedstuffs, but Pb, Cd and As were lowly detected in milk samples, and Cu was not detected in milk samples. The content of Mg in concentrates was lower than that in forages. However, the content of Mg in milk from concentrate feed was higher than that in forage feed. This suggested that the utilization of Mg in concentrate feed was higher than that in forage feed. The contents of Ca and Zn were opposite to Mg, and the utilization of Ca and Zn in forage feed was higher than that in concentrate feed. There was no obviously change law of Fe in different feedstuffs and milk samples. The relationship between the contents of trace metal elements in milk to feedstuffs would provide a theoretical basis for dairy farming. It would be useful for improving the milk yield and milk quality of dairy production.

Comparative Analysis of Hydrolytic Amino Acids in Human and Cow Milk of Different Lactation Periods

In this study,the hydrolytic amino acids of Chinese human and Holstein cow milk of different lactation periods were analyzed by the advanced isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation(iTRAQ)combined with the high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS/MS)approach.The total contents of the hydrolytic amino acids in cow colostrum,cow mature milk,human colostrum and human mature milk were 5.00,4.38,2.12 and 2.48 g·L^(-1),respectively.Among these,the contents of the hydrolytic amino acids in cow milk were higher than those in human milk,indicating a decreasing trend with the prolongation of lactation.Additionally,principal component and hierarchical cluster analyses were used to further screen the differentially expressed amino acids.These results enhanced the understanding of the hydrolytic amino acids in cow and human milk across different lactation periods,which could provide potential directions for newborn dairy powder and nutritious supplementary.

Effects of Cow’s Milk on Reproduction in ICR Male Mice

Objective To study the effects of Cow＇s milk on the reproduction in male mice. Methods Twenty-four male mice were divided randomly into two groups： milk group （M） and control group （C）. Each mouse was given 10 mL milk per day from 4 to 16 weeks in the group M. At the age of 17 weeks, all the mice were sacrificed. Results Serum testosterone was decreased in the group M （P=0.037）. No significant difference was found in weight of testes, seminal vesicle or adrenal gland of mice between the groups C and M. However, the weight of seminal vesicle decreased when expressed in g/100 g body weight in the group M. Epididymal sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and sperm head number were not affected by milk. Conclusion Cow＇s milk has adverse effects on the reproductive system in ICR male mice. Further studies are needed to clarify the specific effects of milk on reproductive health.

Cow milkα_(s1)-casein induces allergic responses in a mouse model of atopy

α_(s1)-Casein is a potential allergen to induce hypersensitivity in cow milk.We had identifiedα_(s1)-casein and its epitopes in previous studies.The present study aimed to evaluate the allergic mechanism ofα_(s1)-casein in a BALB/c mouse model.The levels of specific IgE,mast cell proteinase,histamine and cytokines in sensitized mice were determined,and the clinical and pathological observation were evaluated.Results showed that the levels of specific IgE,mast cell proteinase,histamine,IL-4,IL-5,IL-10 increased significantly with a dose-dependent trend.The local alveolar septum collapsed or thickened,and lymphatic foci were produced in the spleen and thymus,and the inflammatory cells infiltrated in small intestinal mucosa mesenchyme.In conclusion,the levels of specific IgE,mast cell proteinase,histamine,IL-4,IL-5,IL-10 and some inflammatory factors could possibly serve as allergic biomarkers ofα_(s1)-casein,however,additional studies on signal transduction and gene expression are necessary in future.