lactoferrin

A transferrin found in the milk of several mammalian species and thought to be involved in the transport of iron to erythrocytes; relatively high concentrations are found in human milk.

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lac·to·fer·rin .lak-tō-'fer-ən n a red iron-binding protein synthesized by neutrophils and glandular epithelial cells, found in many human secretions (as tears and milk), and retarding bacterial and fungal growth

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lac·to·fer·rin (lakґto-fer″in) an iron-binding protein found in the specific granules of neutrophils, where it apparently exerts an antimicrobial activity by withholding iron from ingested bacteria and fungi; it also occurs in many secretions and exudates, such as milk, tears, mucus, saliva, and bile.