| Description |
Man is unable to synthesize Vitamin C because he lacks the enzyme necessary to convert L-gulonolactone to L-ascorbic acid. Scurvy, a result of Vitamin C deficiency, is still reported in the United States. The importance of Vitamin C gave impetus for a linear study of Vitamin C values in the milk of healthy lactating human subjects during a period from approximately 2 weeks prior to delivery to 6 weeks after delivery. Screening criteria for milk donors and a method of collection, handling, and storage of milk, including a time-table for this collection, was established. The 2,6-dichloroindophenol titration method for Vitamin C assay was used, as this method was referred to in the literature as being simple and accurate. Authors frequently reported Vitamin C values using this titration method. The donor screening criterion established was essentially one of eliminating those mothers who had undergone any severe physical and/or emotional stress and trauma. The collection method assured 8-hour interval sampling from both breast, including fore- and hind-milk, which gave adequate representation of the 25-hour Vitamin C content in the donor's milk. Handling and storage of milk samples were briefly discussed. The 2,6-dichloroindophenol visual titration method proved to be a highly unsatisfactory method for assaying Vitamin C content in human milk. The data obtained, using this method were extremely inconsistent and unreproducible. Because of this lack of integrity, data are not included in this paper. Past studies have give values for Vitamin C in human milk as ranging from zero to 11.8 mg per 100 ml. Because of this range of values, the fact that studies were done primarily in the 1930's and 1940's, and that the 2,6-dichloroindophenol titration method was often used, it is recommended that studies for Vitamin C values in human milk be repeated. Such studies should be accomplished utilizing donor screening criteria, specific collection methodology, and a reliable assay technique. Once up-to-date values of Vitamin C values for human mild have been established, the possibilities for etiological studies of deviations from the norm are unlimited. |
