Human milk oligosaccharides, representing the third largest fraction of human milk, have been assigned important protective functions for newborns acting as bifidogenic substrates or as inhibitory agents towards pathogens. Using high-pH anion-exchange chromatography and an enzyme test kit, twenty oligosaccharides and lactose were determined in milk samples of German women from days 3 to 90 postpartum. Twenty-two secretor mothers with Lewis blood group Le(a - b+) synthesised all twenty oligosaccharides, and could be assigned to milk group 1. Five non-secretor mothers (Le(a+b - )) produced all oligosaccharides with the exception of α1,2-fucosylated compounds (milk group 2), whereas three secretor mothers with blood type Le(a - b - ) lacked α1,4-fucosyloligosaccharides, corresponding to milk group 3. Secretor women of milk groups 1 and 3 synthesised significantly higher amounts of total neutral oligosaccharides and of several total core structures (e.g. lacto-N-tetraose) than non-secretor women. Generally, these oligosaccharides significantly decrease during the first 3 months postpartum. By comparing fucosyloligosaccharides within and among the three milk groups, insight into their biosynthesis could be gained. Six acidic oligosaccharides without fucose residues were detected in milk samples of all mothers. Regression analysis confirmed that total acidic oligosaccharides declined threefold during the study period. Milk samples corresponding to the three milk groups exhibited significant qualitative and quantitative differences during the first 3 months of lactation. It can be assumed that particularly milk of non-secretor women (milk group 2) exerts a modified biological protection in the babies in comparison with milks of secretors (groups 1 and 3).

ContextOligosaccharides are the third largest solid component in human milk. These diverse compounds are thought to have numerous beneficial functions in infants, including protection against infectious diseases. The structures of more than 100 oligosaccharides in human milk have been elucidated so far.ObjectiveThe aim of this review was to identify the main factors that affect the concentrations of oligosaccharides in human milk and to determine whether it is possible to calculate representative and reliable mean concentrations.Data SourcesA comprehensive literature search on oligosaccharide concentrations in human milk was performed in 6 electronic databases: BIOSIS, Current Contents Search, Embase, Lancet Titles, MEDLINE and PubMed.Study SelectionThe initial search resulted in 1363 hits. After the elimination of duplicates, the literature was screened. The application of strict inclusion criteria resulted in 21 articles selected.Data ExtractionOligosaccharide concentrations, both mean values and single values, reported in the literature were sorted by gestational age, secretor status of mothers, and defined lactation periods.ResultsMean concentrations, including confidence limits, of 33 neutral and acidic oligosaccharides reported could be calculated. Concentrations of oligosaccharides in human milk show variations that are dependent on both the secretor type of the mother and the lactation period as examined by analyses of variance. In addition, large interlaboratory variations in the data were observed.ConclusionsWorldwide interlaboratory quantitative analyses of identical milk samples would be required to identify the most reliable methods of determining concentrations of oligosaccharides in human milk. The data presented here contribute to the current knowledge about the composition and quantities of oligosaccharides in human milk and may foster greater understanding of the biological functions of these compounds.

Basic parameters for the calculation of the expanded measurement uncertainty (U) of 33 soil parameters were derived from the data base of proficiency tests of the Association of German Agricultural Analytical and Research Institutes (VDLUFA) over the years [1993][1994][1995][1996][1997][1998][1999][2000][2001][2002][2003][2004][2005]. The underlying statistical model was the regression of the standard deviations of the means for all participating laboratories on the mean of all laboratories. In general, the linear model fits U very well. Only in three cases, a curvilinear equation showed a better significance. The calculated regressions were nonsignificant only in the cases of copper (using the Westerhoff method), pH, and the percentage of sand in the soil samples. All regressions were tested for plausibility using the Horwitz equation (HORRAT). Given a medium range of concentrations, practically all analytes fell well within a ratio of 2, only the results for manganese (Schachtschabel method) did not comply. Plausibility could be proven also for higher-concentration ranges with the single exception of boron (hot-water extraction). At very low-concentration ranges, for some of the analytes a HORRAT value of 2 was exceeded, presumably due to the proximity of the limit of detection in conjunction with some methodological problems. For all of these cases, a concentration limit for the reliability range of the regression for the analytes was calculated, at which the HORRAT values just met the critical ratio of 2. Laboratories are recommended to integrate the regression functions for U into their specific laboratory information and management system (LIMS) or other documentation systems in order to specify U for the measured values. Results are also considered as a solid basis for the evaluation of legally defined limits in agricultural fertilization of soils.

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