Comparison of human and bovine milks

As mentioned in section 4.1, milk is species-specific, designed to meet the nutritional and physiological requirements of the young of that species. There are about 4300 species of mammal but the milks of only about 170 have been analysed, and data for only about 40 of these are considered reliable. Not surprisingly, human and bovine milks have been studied most intensely. In many respects, the milks of these two species are at the opposite ends of a spectrum. It will be apparent from the foregoing discussion that the proteins in human and bovine milks differ markedly, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Some of the more important differences are summarized in Table 4.8. At least some of these differences are probably nutritionally and physiologically important. It is perhaps ironic that human babies are the least likely of all species to receive the milk intended for them. 

Non-casein nitrogen NPN, non-protein nitrogen TN, total nitrogen. 

The synthesis and secretion of milk proteins have been studied in considerable detail reviews include Mercier and Gaye (1983), Mepham (1987) and Mepham et al. (1992). 

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