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METHODS ADVANCEMENT FOR MILK ANALYSIS: THE MAMA STUDY
Citation:
FENTON, S. E. AND E. P. HINES. METHODS ADVANCEMENT FOR MILK ANALYSIS: THE MAMA STUDY. Presented at International Society of Exposure Analysis, Tucson, AZ, October 30 - November 03, 2005.
Description:
The Methods Advancement for Milk Analysis (MAMA) study was designed by US EPA and CDC investigators to provide data to support the technological and study design needs of the proposed National Children=s Study (NCS). The NCS is a multi-Agency-sponsored study, authorized under the Children=s Health Act of 2000, and will enroll over 100,000 US families to study the impact of environmental factors on child health and development. In the MAMA study, 25 lactating women are donating breast milk, blood, urine and saliva samples at specified intervals during lactation. The first specific aim of this study is to develop reliable sample handling and measurement methods for estradiol, prolactin, immunoglobulins, cytokines, glucose and triglycerides in human milk and serum samples. The second aim is to investigate the utility of breast milk for measuring other endpoints such as mutagenic compounds, reactive oxygen species, anti-oxidants, metals and cellular immune response. These endpoints are being measured and compared to identical measurements in blood, urine or saliva. The third aim, conducted by CDC collaborators, is to evaluate partitioning and timed clearance of environmental agents in milk. To examine the utility of surrogate fluids for estimating exogenous compounds in milk, CDC is provided with fresh and frozen human milk, and frozen blood, saliva, and urine samples to measure and compare the following classes of environmental compounds: polybrominated diphenyl ethers, perfluoro alkyl acids, pesticides (organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, chlorotriazines), persistant organic pollutants, bis/alkylphenols, and phthalates. The EPA and CDC labs have also evaluated the effects of breast pump collection of human milk (for potential leaching of chemicals from plastic collection and storage containers), and the effects of preservatives on the accurate measurement of exogenous agents in milk. As recruitment for the NCS fast approaches, these data will be used to define collection and storage protocols, and analysis criteria that are needed for accurate measurement of endpoints in human milk. (This abstract does not necessarily reflect EPA policy).