The number of investigators focusing their attention on lactoferrin has increased dramatically in recent years. Lactoferrin is a protein with more than one known structure and a number of proposed biological functions, including several with important regulatory consequences. In many ways it has been an easy pro tein to investigate; however, there have been difficulties under standing specific structure / function relationships, particularly as it functions in vivo. Research funding dedicated to this protein has previously been limited, but is now increasing. As lactoferrin begins to emerge formally as a protein of significance to the medi and industry, it is more important than ever to coor cal profession dinate and integrate research efforts whenever possible and to share the results of these efforts within the expanding array of medical and scientific diSciplines involved. It was our intention to provide a forum to summarize and disseminate the most recent advances in this field. Included in Lactoferrin: Interactions and Biological Functions are selected presentations representing the many disciplines involved in defining lactoferrin function in terms of its known structural features, including its carbohydrate side-chains, receptor binding sites, its capacity to bind different metal ions, and other newly discovered bioactive domains. Several of the possible physiologi cal functions of lactoferrin are described and summarized in detail, including the role of laetoferrin in bacterial killing, its in volvement in cell growth and proliferation, in the modulation of immune function, and in iron absorption."

Almost every aspect of energy and nutrient metabolism is altered by hormonal and other physiological changes during pregnancy and lactation. While it is evident that hormonal adjustments affect nutrient requirements, these are rarely considered when nutrient recommen dations are made for pregnant or lactating women, and often neglected during evaluation of nutritional status. In addition, changes in nutrient metabolism during the stages of pregnancy and oflactation are usually considered separately, while in reality events during pregnancy can have a major influence on nutritional status and nutrient requirements during lactation. The purpose of this volume is to describe changes in the metabolism of important nutrients during pregnancy and lactation, including the physiological basis for these changes and their implications for nutrient requirements and assessment. Authors have considered such issues as inter-relationships between endocrine changes and nutrient metabolism at the tissue, cellular and molecular level; alterations in nutrient binding proteins; the efficiency of nutrient absorp tion and retention; and the impact on maternal as well as fetal nutritional status. Another unique aspect of this book is the focus on pregnancy and lactation as a continuum."

Almost every aspect of energy and nutrient metabolism is altered by hormonal and other physiological changes during pregnancy and lactation. While it is evident that hormonal adjustments affect nutrient requirements, these are rarely considered when nutrient recommen dations are made for pregnant or lactating women, and often neglected during evaluation of nutritional status. In addition, changes in nutrient metabolism during the stages of pregnancy and oflactation are usually considered separately, while in reality events during pregnancy can have a major influence on nutritional status and nutrient requirements during lactation. The purpose of this volume is to describe changes in the metabolism of important nutrients during pregnancy and lactation, including the physiological basis for these changes and their implications for nutrient requirements and assessment. Authors have considered such issues as inter-relationships between endocrine changes and nutrient metabolism at the tissue, cellular and molecular level; alterations in nutrient binding proteins; the efficiency of nutrient absorp tion and retention; and the impact on maternal as well as fetal nutritional status. Another unique aspect of this book is the focus on pregnancy and lactation as a continuum."

The number of investigators focusing their attention on lactoferrin has increased dramatically in recent years. Lactoferrin is a protein with more than one known structure and a number of proposed biological functions, including several with important regulatory consequences. In many ways it has been an easy pro tein to investigate; however, there have been difficulties under standing specific structure / function relationships, particularly as it functions in vivo. Research funding dedicated to this protein has previously been limited, but is now increasing. As lactoferrin begins to emerge formally as a protein of significance to the medi and industry, it is more important than ever to coor cal profession dinate and integrate research efforts whenever possible and to share the results of these efforts within the expanding array of medical and scientific diSciplines involved. It was our intention to provide a forum to summarize and disseminate the most recent advances in this field. Included in Lactoferrin: Interactions and Biological Functions are selected presentations representing the many disciplines involved in defining lactoferrin function in terms of its known structural features, including its carbohydrate side-chains, receptor binding sites, its capacity to bind different metal ions, and other newly discovered bioactive domains. Several of the possible physiologi cal functions of lactoferrin are described and summarized in detail, including the role of laetoferrin in bacterial killing, its in volvement in cell growth and proliferation, in the modulation of immune function, and in iron absorption."