Changes in a-Lactalbumin, Total Lactose, UDP-Galactose Hydrolase and other Factors in Tammar Wallaby (Macropus eugenii) Milk during Lactation
a-Lactalbumin was isolated from milk of M. eugenii and its concentration in milk samples taken at various times during lactation (0-40 we.eks post partum) was determined by single radial immunodiffusion using rabbit antiserum to the purified protein. The a-lactalbumin concentration remained almost constant throughout lactation even though the concentration of total lactose (free �lactose plus lactose contained in oligosaccharides) feli to zero after 34 weeks post partum. This fall in lactose was accompanied by a rise in the free galactose and glucose concentrations and marked increases in UDPgalactose hydrolase, nucleotide pyrophosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and acid fj-galactosidase activities. It is suggested that the in vitro hydrolysis of UDP-galactose was due to nucleotide pyrophosphatase and that this enzyme may also playa role in vivo late in lactation by making UDP-galactose unavailable for the synthesis of lactose. Alternatively, lactose and lactose-containing oligosaccharides might be degraded by the acid fj-galactosidase during or after secretion.