SUMMARYBackground: Adiponectin, a protein secreted by adipocytes, affects mainly glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Hypoadiponectinemia is found in obesity and insulin resistant states such as type 2 diabetes. Methods: We studied serum and breast milk adiponectin levels in 32 healthy lactating women. Serum glukoz and insulin levels of the mothers were also measured and compared with adiponectin levels. Results: Mean adiponectin levels were 46 (13.8-194) ng/ml and 4490 (1400-43320) ng/ml in breast milk and maternal serum samples, respectively. There was no correlation between maternal serum-milk adiponectin levels (p0.05). Milk adiponectin was only related with the postpartum day when the samples were taken (mean=2.6 (1-5) days) (r=-0.5, p 0.01). Maternal serum adiponectin was correlated with only maternal glucose/insulin ratio (r=-0.4, p 0.05). Conclusion: Detectable levels of adiponectin are found in breast milk. Milk adiponectin was not related with maternal serum adiponectin levels. Further studies are needed to understand its biological availability and relationships with weight gain and insulin sensitivity in the babies of lactating women. (Güncel Pediatri 2007; 5: 28-30)Key words: Adiponectin, breast milk, lactation

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