Forty-eight Holstein cows at Utah State Dairy Farm were blocked statistically according to date of calving, previous milk production, and numbers of lactation at parturition. The cattle were assigned randomly to one of four treatments within blocks. The four treatments included a base ration (control, treatment #1), base ration plus .8% of sodium bicarbonate (treatment #2), base ration plus .4% of magnesium oxide (treatment #3), and base ration plus both .8% of sodium bicarbonate and .4% of magnesium oxide (treatment #4). The research was conducted from February 1983 to November 1984. A formagraph was used to measure milk coagulation parameters and pH was determined. There was no significant difference in milk coagulation parameters or pH between the control and the buffer treatments. Milk parameters were significantly different in individual cow, week, and milk pH. Milk parameters did not appear to be dependent upon season. Curd firmness was significant in interaction of season and treatment. Significant variations in milk pH were observed in relation to week, season, and individual cow. Overall treatments, the clotting time, K20, and pH value increased each week, and A30 decreased each week. The milk parameters and pH in each treatment were significant between weeks except K20 and A30 in treatment #3, and A30 in treatment #2 (p>0.05). The clotting time and K20 were negatively correlated with firmness, and there was positive correlation between Ct and K20 as expected. Somatic cell count was positively correlated with clotting time, K20, and pH and negatively correlated with A30. Milk pH was the most significant and had positive correlation coefficient with clotting time and firming rate and negative correlation coefficient with curd firmness.

Com o objetivo de estudar os efeitos do uso da Somatotropina Recombinante Bovina (rBST) no lipidograma e constituição do leite de bubalinos foram utilizadas 28 búfalas divididas em dois grupos: Grupo 1 constituído de 14 búfalas nas quais foi realizada uma aplicação de 500 mg de rBST e Grupo 2 - constituído de 14 búfalas que não receberam qualquer tratamento hormonal (grupo controle). Durante o experimento, os animais tiveram amostras de plasma e soro sanguíneo, bem como de leite colhidas periodicamente nos seguintes momentos: dia da aplicação da rBST, 1º, 3º, 5º, 7º, 10º e 14º dia após a aplicação da rBST. A fim de minimizar possíveis influências da fase da lactação, todas as búfalas utilizadas no experimento estarvam entre 100 e 200 dias de lactação e com produção de leite variando entre 5 e 10 litros por dia. O lipidograma foi avaliado por meio da determinação dos teores séricos de colesterol, triglicérides, ácidos graxos não esterificados e β-HBO e teores plasmáticos de glicose, enquanto a constituição do leite de búfalas foi avaliada por meio de determinação dos teores lácteos de gordura, proteína, lactose, sólidos totais e do número de células somáticas. Durante a avaliação dos resultados obtidos podemos notar que a aplicação da somatotropina recombinante bovina não influenciou os teores séricos de NEFA, colesterol e triglicérides bem como os plasmáticos de glicose. No entanto os teores séricos de β-HBO foram afetados pelo tratamento instituído, pois verificou-se que, a partir do 1º dia após o início do tratamento hormonal, os teores séricos de -HBO no grupo tratado com rBST eram entre 0,21 e 0,55 mg/dL maiores do que os encontrados no grupo controle. Quando avaliamos a composição do leite temos que os resultados nos permitem afirmar que o tratamento instituído não interfere nas concentrações de gordura, lactose, sólidos totais e no número de células somáticas. Nos primeiros dias após a aplicação da rBST ocorria uma diminuição dos teores lácteos de proteína, sendo verificado que no 3º dia após o início do tratamento hormonal os valores lácteos de proteína encontrados no grupo tratado com rBST (3,59 ± 0,22 g/dL) eram significativamente menores do que os observados no grupo controle (3,89 ± 0,22 g/dL). A partir do 5º dia após o início do tratamento hormonal, os valores de proteína passam a oscilar sem que qualquer diferença estatística entre o grupo tratado e controle possam ser observados. / With the aim to evaluate the influence of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) in the lipid profile and milk composition of lactating Murrah water buffaloes, we collected and analyzed samples of blood serum and plasma and milk of clinically healthy animals. We determined the concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), -hydroxibutyrate (-HBO) and glucose from the blood samples. Milk samples were collected after milking and the following parameters were evaluated: fat, protein, lactose, total solids and somatic cell count. The influence of rBST was studied through 28 animals divided in 2 experimental groups: Experimental Group 14 animals that received a single application of 500mg rBST; Control Group - 14 animals that didn´t receive any hormonal treatment. Blood and milk samples were collected in the following moments: day of rBST application, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th and 14th day after the rBST application. To minimize the influence of lactation, the samples were collected between 100-200 days of lactation and the milk yields per cow range from 5 10 Liters. According to the results of this research, we concluded that one single application of rBST didn´t affect the NEFA, cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose blood levels. The serum β-HBO concentration was influenced by the hormonal treatment. In the experimental group, after 24 hours from the treatment, the β-HBO level ranged 0.21 - 0.55 mg/dL and it was greater than that of control group. The fat, lactose, total solids and somatic cell count were not influenced by the rBST treatment. In the first days after the application of rBST, the milk protein decreased gradually reaching its low level in the 3rd day after the application (3.59 ± 0.22 g/dL) and was significant lower than that of control group (3.89 ± 0.22 g/dL). After the 5th day, the milk protein values oscillated without any statistical difference between both groups.

Oil seeds are natural sources of fat and protein in diets for lactating cows, and are usually fed whole or crushed. A recently released variety of safflower seed, 'Nutrasaff,' contains high fat (47% crude fat) and low fiber (26% NDF), and has a potential to be effectively used as a fat supplement for lactating dairy cows. Therefore, a lactating dairy cow trial was conducted to assess production performance of dairy cows when fed graded levels of whole Nutrasaff safflower seed (NSS), to determine the optimum level of NSS supplementation in the diet and to identify its impact on milk fat content and milk fatty acid (FA) profiles. Fifteen Holstein dairy cows in midlactation (118 ± 39 days in milk) were assigned into 5 groups of 3 cows each according to previous milk yield. The experimental design was a triple 5 × 5 Latin square with each period lasting 21 d (14 d of treatment adaptation and 7 d of data collection). The animals were fed a basal diet containing 56% forage (69% alfalfa hay and 31% corn silage) and 44% concentrate mix. The diet was supplemented with 0 (control), 1, 2, 3, or 4% (DM basis) whole NSS. The NSS was added to the diet by replacing whole linted-cottonseed. Intake of DM ranged from 26.4 to 27.5 kg/d across all treatments, and did not differ due to NSS inclusion. Yield of milk and ECM averaged 33.7 and 31.6 kg/d, respectively, and they were similar in response to NSS inclusion. Milk fat percentage decreased with increasing NSS inclusion, while milk protein and lactose concentrations did not differ among treatment diets. Milk fat concentration was reduced by 11% when NSS was included at 4% of the dietary DM. Feeding NSS at 1, 2, or 3% resulted in a similar milk fat concentration, and these diets also had similar milk fat percentage compared with the control diet. Concentration of milk urea N decreased by NSS inclusion regardless of level of NSS inclusion, implying that NSS supplementation improved dietary N use for milk production. Digestibilities of DM (P = 0.12) tended to increase when NSS was supplemented at 1, 2, or 3%. Cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) linearly increased as the NSS inclusion increased. Total concentration of n-3 FA increased by feeding NSS at 1 and 2%, whereas total concentration of n-6 FA linearly increased with increasing inclusion level of NSS. This study clearly demonstrates that it is highly possible to use NSS as a means of fat supplementation to lactating dairy cows without negative impact on lactational performance if added less than 3% of dietary DM. The enhanced milk quality with increased cis-9, trans-11 CLA concentration due to the addition of NSS could have positive implications to human health.

Forty-eight Holstein cows at Utah State Dairy Farm were blocked statistically according to date of calving, previous milk production, and numbers of lactation at parturition. The cattle were assigned randomly to one of four treatments within blocks. The four treatments included a base ration (control, treatment #1), base ration plus .8% of sodium bicarbonate (treatment #2), base ration plus .4% of magnesium oxide (treatment #3), and base ration plus both .8% of sodium bicarbonate and .4% of magnesium oxide (treatment #4). The research was conducted from February 1983 to November 1984. A formagraph was used to measure milk coagulation parameters and pH was determined. There was no significant difference in milk coagulation parameters or pH between the control and the buffer treatments. Milk parameters were significantly different in individual cow, week, and milk pH. Milk parameters did not appear to be dependent upon season. Curd firmness was significant in interaction of season and treatment. Significant variations in milk pH were observed in relation to week, season, and individual cow. Overall treatments, the clotting time, K20, and pH value increased each wee, and A30 decreased each week. The milk parameters and pH in each treatment were significant between weeks except K20 and A30 in treatment #3, and A30 in treatment #2 (p Somatic cell count was positively correlated with clotting time, K20, and pH and negatively correlated with A30. Milk pH was the most significant and had positive correlation coefficient with clotting time and firming rate and negative correlation coefficient with curd firmness.

This dissertation research involved investigations into possible drug-nutrient or disease-nutrient transport interactions in the nursing mother-neonate dyad. The overall hypothesis was that cefepime would inhibit L-carnitine transport at the lactating mammary gland and in developing neonates. Additionally, inflammation would alter energy substrate transporter expression in mammary tissue.<p> The first objective was to investigate the potential for drug-nutrient transport interactions at the lactating mammary gland. A continuous cefepime infusion to lactating rats reduced L-carnitine transfer into milk at early but not mid lactation. In conjunction with higher milk L-carnitine and cefepime concentrations and higher expression levels of Octn2, the data suggests cefepime competitively inhibited Octn2-mediated L-carnitine transport into milk.<p> The second objective was to assess the influence of lactation stage on milk-to-serum ratios (M/S) for an actively transported drug, cefepime, and its impact on the calculation of neonatal exposure indices. Higher cefepime M/S on day 4 lactation versus day 10 coupled with lower systemic clearance values for cefepime in postnatal day 4 versus day 10 pups resulted in >7-fold higher exposure index values at postnatal day 4. These data confirm the need to determine M/S at different lactation stages for actively transported drugs to avoid over- or underestimation of neonatal exposure risk.<p> The third objective was to examine a drug-nutrient transporter interaction in neonates. Cefepime administered twice daily according to different dosing schedules (postnatal days 1-4, 1-8, 8-11, 8-20 and 1-20) caused significant alterations in the ontogenesis of several mechanisms involved in the L-carnitine homeostasis. These alterations likely represented adaptive responses to cefepime inhibition of L-carnitine transport. Furthermore, these changes seemed to depend on duration and timing of exposure relative to postnatal maturation.<p> The fourth objective was to examine the effects of inflammatory stimuli on energy substrate transporter expression in mammary tissue. Inflammatory stimuli altered expression of glucose, fatty acid and L-carnitine transporters in mammary tissue <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>.<p> Collectively, this research provided experimental evidence for significant disease- or drug-nutrient transport interactions in the nursing mother-neonate dyad. Further research may identify a need for dietary modification during pharmacological management of disease in the nursing mother-neonate dyad.

This dissertation research involved investigations into possible drug-nutrient or disease-nutrient transport interactions in the nursing mother-neonate dyad. The overall hypothesis was that cefepime would inhibit L-carnitine transport at the lactating mammary gland and in developing neonates. Additionally, inflammation would alter energy substrate transporter expression in mammary tissue.<p> The first objective was to investigate the potential for drug-nutrient transport interactions at the lactating mammary gland. A continuous cefepime infusion to lactating rats reduced L-carnitine transfer into milk at early but not mid lactation. In conjunction with higher milk L-carnitine and cefepime concentrations and higher expression levels of Octn2, the data suggests cefepime competitively inhibited Octn2-mediated L-carnitine transport into milk.<p> The second objective was to assess the influence of lactation stage on milk-to-serum ratios (M/S) for an actively transported drug, cefepime, and its impact on the calculation of neonatal exposure indices. Higher cefepime M/S on day 4 lactation versus day 10 coupled with lower systemic clearance values for cefepime in postnatal day 4 versus day 10 pups resulted in >7-fold higher exposure index values at postnatal day 4. These data confirm the need to determine M/S at different lactation stages for actively transported drugs to avoid over- or underestimation of neonatal exposure risk.<p> The third objective was to examine a drug-nutrient transporter interaction in neonates. Cefepime administered twice daily according to different dosing schedules (postnatal days 1-4, 1-8, 8-11, 8-20 and 1-20) caused significant alterations in the ontogenesis of several mechanisms involved in the L-carnitine homeostasis. These alterations likely represented adaptive responses to cefepime inhibition of L-carnitine transport. Furthermore, these changes seemed to depend on duration and timing of exposure relative to postnatal maturation.<p> The fourth objective was to examine the effects of inflammatory stimuli on energy substrate transporter expression in mammary tissue. Inflammatory stimuli altered expression of glucose, fatty acid and L-carnitine transporters in mammary tissue <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>.<p> Collectively, this research provided experimental evidence for significant disease- or drug-nutrient transport interactions in the nursing mother-neonate dyad. Further research may identify a need for dietary modification during pharmacological management of disease in the nursing mother-neonate dyad.

The objective of this dissertation is to study the mechanism by which HIV protease inhibitors enter into the central nervous system (CNS) and breast milk of rats, and what effects MDR modulators have on the distribution and metabolism of HIV protease inhibitors. The transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) has been shown to limit the distribution of HIV protease inhibitors into the CNS of rodents. This thesis examined the effects of GF120918, an MDR modulator, on the CNS distribution of amprenavir, an HIV protease inhibitor, in rats. GF120918 significantly increased the unbound CNS concentrations of amprenavir without altering the unbound blood concentrations of amprenavir. The results of these studies show that GF120918 can inhibit P-gp at the blood brain barrier (BBB) to increase the unbound CNS concentration of amprenavir and potentially other HIV protease inhibitors. Many first generation MDR modulators inhibited both P-gp transport and CYP3A metabolism. Therefore, a principal goal of this thesis was to determine if GF120918 could selectively inhibit P-gp transport without inhibiting CYP3A metabolism. Using in vitro (human) and in vivo (rat) studies, GF120918 selectively inhibited P-gp at the BBB without inhibiting CYP3A metabolism. The transporter MRP1 has been shown to both transport HIV protease inhibitors and expressed in the CNS. Studies contained in the thesis have shown that mrp1 is not localized to the BBB of rats, therefore, mrp1 is unlikely to play a significant role in the distribution of HIV protease inhibitors into the CNS of rats. The distribution of nelfinavir, an HIV protease inhibitor, into rat breast milk was studied in the thesis as a first approach in understanding the extent to which HIV protease inhibitors can accumulate into milk. The concentration of nelfinavir in rat milk was approximately half that of plasma. P-gp protein expression was detected in lactating rat mammary tissue. However, GF120918 showed no effect on the distribution of nelfinavir into rat milk suggesting that P-gp does not play a significant role in the distribution of HIV protease inhibitors into milk.

Com o objetivo de estudar os efeitos do uso da Somatotropina Recombinante Bovina (rBST) no lipidograma e constituição do leite de bubalinos foram utilizadas 28 búfalas divididas em dois grupos: Grupo 1 constituído de 14 búfalas nas quais foi realizada uma aplicação de 500 mg de rBST e Grupo 2 - constituído de 14 búfalas que não receberam qualquer tratamento hormonal (grupo controle). Durante o experimento, os animais tiveram amostras de plasma e soro sanguíneo, bem como de leite colhidas periodicamente nos seguintes momentos: dia da aplicação da rBST, 1º, 3º, 5º, 7º, 10º e 14º dia após a aplicação da rBST. A fim de minimizar possíveis influências da fase da lactação, todas as búfalas utilizadas no experimento estarvam entre 100 e 200 dias de lactação e com produção de leite variando entre 5 e 10 litros por dia. O lipidograma foi avaliado por meio da determinação dos teores séricos de colesterol, triglicérides, ácidos graxos não esterificados e &beta;-HBO e teores plasmáticos de glicose, enquanto a constituição do leite de búfalas foi avaliada por meio de determinação dos teores lácteos de gordura, proteína, lactose, sólidos totais e do número de células somáticas. Durante a avaliação dos resultados obtidos podemos notar que a aplicação da somatotropina recombinante bovina não influenciou os teores séricos de NEFA, colesterol e triglicérides bem como os plasmáticos de glicose. No entanto os teores séricos de &beta;-HBO foram afetados pelo tratamento instituído, pois verificou-se que, a partir do 1º dia após o início do tratamento hormonal, os teores séricos de -HBO no grupo tratado com rBST eram entre 0,21 e 0,55 mg/dL maiores do que os encontrados no grupo controle. Quando avaliamos a composição do leite temos que os resultados nos permitem afirmar que o tratamento instituído não interfere nas concentrações de gordura, lactose, sólidos totais e no número de células somáticas. Nos primeiros dias após a aplicação da rBST ocorria uma diminuição dos teores lácteos de proteína, sendo verificado que no 3º dia após o início do tratamento hormonal os valores lácteos de proteína encontrados no grupo tratado com rBST (3,59 &plusmn; 0,22 g/dL) eram significativamente menores do que os observados no grupo controle (3,89 &plusmn; 0,22 g/dL). A partir do 5º dia após o início do tratamento hormonal, os valores de proteína passam a oscilar sem que qualquer diferença estatística entre o grupo tratado e controle possam ser observados. / With the aim to evaluate the influence of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) in the lipid profile and milk composition of lactating Murrah water buffaloes, we collected and analyzed samples of blood serum and plasma and milk of clinically healthy animals. We determined the concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), -hydroxibutyrate (-HBO) and glucose from the blood samples. Milk samples were collected after milking and the following parameters were evaluated: fat, protein, lactose, total solids and somatic cell count. The influence of rBST was studied through 28 animals divided in 2 experimental groups: Experimental Group 14 animals that received a single application of 500mg rBST; Control Group - 14 animals that didn´t receive any hormonal treatment. Blood and milk samples were collected in the following moments: day of rBST application, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th and 14th day after the rBST application. To minimize the influence of lactation, the samples were collected between 100-200 days of lactation and the milk yields per cow range from 5 10 Liters. According to the results of this research, we concluded that one single application of rBST didn´t affect the NEFA, cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose blood levels. The serum &beta;-HBO concentration was influenced by the hormonal treatment. In the experimental group, after 24 hours from the treatment, the &beta;-HBO level ranged 0.21 - 0.55 mg/dL and it was greater than that of control group. The fat, lactose, total solids and somatic cell count were not influenced by the rBST treatment. In the first days after the application of rBST, the milk protein decreased gradually reaching its low level in the 3rd day after the application (3.59 ± 0.22 g/dL) and was significant lower than that of control group (3.89 ± 0.22 g/dL). After the 5th day, the milk protein values oscillated without any statistical difference between both groups.

Submitted by Biblioteca da Faculdade de Farmácia (bff@ndc.uff.br) on 2017-03-28T18:39:00Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Pereira, Tatiane Aguiar Durães [Dissertação, 2014].pdf: 1735158 bytes, checksum: a682bc5c3ae743230efe452e23a93bb2 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-28T18:39:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Pereira, Tatiane Aguiar Durães [Dissertação, 2014].pdf: 1735158 bytes, checksum: a682bc5c3ae743230efe452e23a93bb2 (MD5) / Introdução: Sabe-se que o leite humano contém não apenas macro e micronutrientes, mas também uma variedade de substâncias bioativas, tais como os hormônios, grelina e leptina. A leptina principalmente sintetizada pelo tecido adiposo promove a saciedade e é liberado na corrente sanguínea proporcionalmente a quantidade de massa de gordura corporal. A grelina é sintetizada essencialmente no estômago, sendo conhecida como “hormônio da fome”, estimulando a ingestão de alimentos. A leptina e a grelina sofrem influências de outros hormônios, como a prolactina, dependendo do momento metabólico da mulher, modificando seu mecanismo de ação normal, durante a lactação, seus níveis podem estar diminuídos. Esses hormônios estão presentes no leite materno e passam para o lactente podendo influenciar seu desenvolvimento. Dessa maneira, o objetivo desse estudo foi determinar a concentração de leptina e grelina no sangue e leite materno (LM) e avaliar a relação com o estado nutricional da nutriz e do lactente. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo analítico observacional longitudinal, com 40 nutrizes e seus lactentes, em aleitamento materno exclusivo ou predominante, avaliados em 3 momentos, 30, 60 e 90 dias pós-parto. Os hormônios foram analisados pelométodo ELISA. Resultados: O peso, índice de massa corporal (IMC) e percentual de gordura corporal (PGC) das nutrizes apresentaram-se semelhantes ao longo do estudo, não houve perda de peso corporal, mas sim retenção de 7,1±2,3Kg e aumento de 3% PGC, ocorrendo uma transição no perfil nutricional. Quanto aos lactentes, o peso, perímetro cefálico e comprimento, apresentaram-se diferentes (p<0,0001) daquele ao nascimento, apresentaram crescimento ascendente, porém, acima do esperado para o trimestre (3102±930,9g). No decorrer da lactação, os níveis hormonais analisados não se modificaram. Foram encontradas maiores concentrações (p<0,0001) de leptina e grelina no plasma, em relação ao leite materno. A leptina do plasma associou-se de forma positiva com os níveis de leptina do LM (r=0,78; p=0,01), e também com a antropometria materna (IMC aos 90 PP e PGC aos 30 e 90 PP) e negativamente com o ganho de peso do lactente (r= -0,64; p=0,04). A grelina associou-se de forma negativa com o perímetro cefálico do lactente (r=-0,57; p=0,03) e com o peso da nutriz (r=-0,66; p=0,03). Conclusão: As nutrizes no primeiro trimestre pós-parto apresentaram aumento da gordura corporal e retenção de peso. Os lactentes apresentaram ganho de peso excessivo nesse período e podem sofrer influências da composição corporal materna e hormonais. Os níveis de leptina e grelina foram maiores no plasma e ambos podem influenciar a antropometria materna e do lactente, além disso, seus níveis podem sofrer influências hormonais, como da prolactina, que pode contribuir para o controle da ingestão alimentar das nutrizes, nesse período / Introduction: It is known that human milk contains not only macronutrients and micronutrients, but also a variety of bioactive substances, such as hormones, ghrelin and leptin . Leptin mainly synthesized by adipose tissue promotes satiety and is released into the bloodstream in proportion to amount of body fat mass. Ghrelin is synthesized primarily in the stomach, known as the " hunger hormone " , stimulating food intake. Leptin and ghrelin are influenced by other hormones, such as prolactin, modifying its normal mechanism of action depending on the time of metabolic woman, their levels may be reduced during lactation. These hormones are present in breast milk and can pass to the infant and influence its development. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the concentration of leptin and ghrelin in the blood and breast milk (BM) and evaluate its relationship to the nutritional status of the lactating woman and infant. Methodology: This is a longitudinal observational analytic study with 40 lactating woman and their infants exclusively or predominantly breastfed, valued at 3 times: 30, 60 and 90 days postpartum. The hormones were analyzed by ELISA. Results: The weight, body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (BFP) of the mothers were similar throughout the study, there was no weight loss, but retention of 7.1 ± 2.3 kg and 3% increase in BFP, a transition occurring in the nutritional profile. About infants, weight, head circumference and length, showed up different (p < 0.0001) at birth, showed normal growth, higher than expected for the period (3102 ± 930.9g). During lactation, hormone levels analyzed were unchanged. Higher concentrations (p < 0.0001) of the plasma leptin and ghrelin, relative to the milk were found. The plasma leptin was associated positively with leptin levels of BM (r = 0.78, p = 0.01), and also with maternal anthropometry (BMI 90 to PP and BFP at 30 and 90 PP), and negatively associated with infant weight gain (r = -0.64, p = 0.04). Ghrelin, was associated negatively with infant head circumference (r = -0.57, p = 0,03) and the weight of the lactating woman (r = -0.66, p = 0.03). Conclusion: Lactating woman in the first postpartum trimester showed increased body fat and weight retention. The infants showed excessive weight gain during this period and can be influenced maternal hormonal and body composition. The levels of leptin and ghrelin were higher in plasma, and both can influence maternal and infant anthropometry, moreover, their levels may suffer hormonal influences, such as prolactin, which may contribute to the control of food intake of the mothers, in this period

Breastfeeding is at its best when both the mother and infant benefit from the experience. Aim: To obtain data on the adequacy of the diet and nutrition knowledge of lactating women (0-6 months postpartum) living in a low socio-economic area in Nairobi. The findings could be used to plan future nutrition intervention programs. Research design: A cross-sectional survey in the quantitative and qualitative research paradigms. Health status indicators, socio-economic and cultural factors were additionally investigated as interactive factors that could influence the nutrient intake and nutrition knowledge of the lactating women. Setting: Mbagathi District Hospital, located at the edge of Kibera slum area in Nairobi. Sample: Lactating mothers (0-6 months postpartum), who were visiting the Maternal-Child Health Clinic to bring their children for immunisation, were recruited. Convenience sampling was used (N=120). Informed consent was obtained from the mothers in their home tongue. Methodology: Individual interviews in Swahili, using structured questionnaires (Socio biodemographic questionnaire, Hunger Scale, 24 Hour-recall, and Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire), and anthropometry (according to standard procedure) were done in the quantitative domain. Seven structured focus group discussions were employed in the qualitative domain. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used on the quantitative data, and Krueger‘s framework of analysis on the qualitative data. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria; Ref no EC 080922-039, and research permission was granted by the National Council for Science and Technology, Nairobi; Permit no NCST/5/002/R/355. Main findings: Majority of women (92%) had energy intakes between 5040 – 10080 kJ/day with the mean energy intake of 6975.5 kJ/day which was lower than the recommended 11340 kJ/day. Macronutrient intake was within the acceptable macronutrient distribution ranges, whereas the micronutrients were consumed below the recommended dietary allowances (WHO). The mean adequacy ratio (excluding niacin) was 0.74. The highest frequency of consumption (100%) was from cereals, while the lowest were for vitamin A rich vegetables/fruits (6.6%) and dairy products (1.7%). Overall, the mean Food Variety Score (FVS) was 6.6 ( ± 2.0) and the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) was 4.3 ( ± 1.0). Hunger assessment revealed 43 households that were food secure, whereas 77 households were either hungry or at risk of hunger. Majority of women (93%) had good nutrition knowledge but the rationale for applying the knowledge was lacking for most of the nutrition concepts. Socio-economic status, cultural beliefs and practices, health status and nutrition knowledge were all identified as probable factors that influenced the dietary intake of the lactating women. Recommendation: There seems to be a need for well-designed nutrition intervention programs focusing on nutrient intake from culturally acceptable and affordable foods to increase dietary diversity and food variety of lactating women in this low socio-economic area. With a concurrent increase in nutrition knowledge such interventions would improve their nutritional status. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Food Science / unrestricted