Mineral constituents of harp seal milk

Milk samples were collected from stomachs of 20 harp seal pups (Phoca groenlandica) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Milk was analysed for ash content, 14 minerals, and for changes in mineral composition associated with maternal age and stage of lactation. Ash content was [Formula: see text] whole milk,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Zoology
Main Authors: Webb, B. E., Stewart, R. E. A., Lavigne, D. M.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1984
Subjects:
Harp Seal
Phoca groenlandica
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z84-121
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z84-121
Description
Summary:Milk samples were collected from stomachs of 20 harp seal pups (Phoca groenlandica) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Milk was analysed for ash content, 14 minerals, and for changes in mineral composition associated with maternal age and stage of lactation. Ash content was [Formula: see text] whole milk, similar to values previously published for harp seals and other pinnipeds. Cadmium, previously unreported in pinniped milk, comprised 0.002 ± 0.001% ash, whereas nickel was not detected. Of the remaining 12 minerals, only calcium appeared to change significantly through lactation, increasing from about 12.9 to about 17.8% ash in 10 days. Maternal age had no significant effect on mineral composition of harp seal milk.

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