The B-vitamin content of baboon ( Papio cynocephalus ) milk

Abstract

1. The B-vitamins in milk from baboons ( Papio cynocephalus ) at various stages of lactation were measured microbiologically. 2. Mature milk contained, on average (μg/ml): thiamin 0.18, riboflavin 0.74, nicotinic acid 3.2, folate 0.03, vitamin B 6 0.70, vitamin B 12 0.002, pantothenic acid 2.63, biotin 0.0065. 3. Colostrum contained much less vitamin B 6 and pantothenic acid than mature milk; otherwise, there were only slight changes in composition as lactation progressed. Neither these changes, nor the absolute values, resembled those for human or cow's milk. 4. The average daily secretion of B-vitamins in milk represented less than 10% of the mother's dietary intake; that of folate was less than 0.5% of the mother's dietary intake. 5. Baboon milk was calculated to provide infants with approximately the following quantities of B-vitamins (/d): thiamin 0.06 mg, riboflavin 0.25 mg, nicotinic acid 1.1 mg, folate 10 μg, vitamin B 6 0.25 mg, vitamin B 12 0.7 μg, pantothenic acid 0.9 mg, biotin 2.2 μg.