No abstract

We reviewed 15 studies reporting on the fatty acid composition of colostrum lipids from 16 geographic regions: 11 European studies and one study each from Central America, the Caribbean, Australia and Asia. The contents of essential fatty acids, saturates and polyunsaturates were similar in the southern European countries Spain, Slovenia and France. Colostrum of St. Lucian women was high in saturates and low in oleic acid, reflecting a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet. Abundant fish intake was reflected in high contents of docosahexaenoic acid and total n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in St. Lucia. Two French studies published with an interval of two years showed a very similar colostrum fatty acid composition, whereas two German studies obtained with an interval of 14 years showed higher docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid contents in the later study, with an unchanged n-6/n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio. Studies from Spain reported a decline of alpha-linolenic acid in colostrum over a time period of 13 years. Colostrum of Australian women contained the lowest polyunsaturated/saturated and n-6/n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids ratios (0.28 and 1.58) and the lowest contents of linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids (7.8 and 0.4 wt.%). In contrast, the contents of docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and total n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (0.6, 0.4 and 1.4 wt.%) were higher in Australian than in European samples. Fatty acid composition of human colostrum appears to be markedly influenced by geographic differences in maternal dietary composition.

Pasteurization of human milk does not influence fat content and composition, but sterilization may reduce available fat content by more than 10%, whereas there are only slight changes in fatty acid composition.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is important for infant development. The DHA transfer from maternal diet into human milk has not been investigated in detail. We studied the effects of DHA supplementation on the fatty acid composition of human milk and the secretion of dietary 13 C-labeled fatty acids, including DHA, into human milk. Ten lactating women were randomized to consume, from 4 to 6 weeks postpartum, an oil rich in DHA (DHASCO™, 200 mg of DHA/day) (n ‫؍‬ 5) or a placebo oil (n ϭ 5). Dietary intakes were followed by 7-day protocols. On study day 14 a single dose of [U-13 C]DHASCO™ was given orally, milk samples were collected over 48 h, and milk production was recorded. Milk fatty acid composition was determined by gas-liquid chromatography and isotopic enrichment was determined by gas chromatographycombustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS). Milk DHA content did not differ between the supplemented and placebo group at study entry (0.29 vs. 0.28 wt%, median). After 2 weeks of supplementation the milk DHA content was almost 2-fold higher in the supplemented versus placebo group (0.37 vs. 0.21 wt%, P ‫؍‬ 0.003). Cumulative recovery of [ 13 C]palmitic, [ 13 C]oleic, and [ 13 C]docosahexaenoic acids in human milk at 48 h was similar between supplemented and placebo groups (palmitic acid 7.40 vs. 8.14%, oleic acid 9.14 vs. 9.97%, and docosahexaenoic acid 9.09 vs. 8.03% of dose, respectively). Notable lower recovery was observed for [ 13 C]myristic acid in both the supplemented and placebo groups, 0.62 versus 0.77% of dose. Dietary DHA supplementation increases the DHA content in human milk. DHA transfer from the diet into human milk is comparable to palmitic and oleic acid transfer. -Fidler, N., T. Sauerwald, A. Pohl, H. Demmelmair, and B. Koletzko. Docosahexaenoic acid transfer into human milk after dietary supplementation: a randomized clinical trial.