Six Oligosaccharides’ Variation in Breast Milk: A Study in South China from 0 to 400 Days Postpartum

Abstract

This study investigated the variation in oligosaccharide levels in the breast milk of south Chinese mothers in a prolonged breastfeeding period of up to 400 days postpartum. A total of 488 breast milk samples were collected from 335 healthy mothers at five different time points: 0–5 days, 10–15 days, 40–45 days, 200–240 days, and 300–400 days postpartum. A high-performance anion-exchange chromatography-pulsed amperometric detector (HPAEC-PAD) was used to quantify 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL), 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), lacto-N-tetraose (LNT), lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), 3′-sialyllactose (3′-SL) and 6′-sialyllactose (6′-SL). In this study, we found six oligosaccharides that were present in breast milk from 0 to 400 days postpartum. The median value ranges of individual oligosaccharide components in this study were 1013–2891 mg/L 2′-FL, 193–1421 mg/L 3-FL, 314–1478 mg/L LNT, 44–255 mg/L LNnT, 111–241 mg/L 3′-SL, and 23–602 mg/L6′-SL. HMO levels decreased over the lactation periods, except for 3-FL, which increased throughout lactation. The predominant fucosylated and sialylated HMOs were 2′-FL and 6′-SL at 40–45 days postpartum and changed to 3-FL and 3′-SL at 200–240 days postpartum. Results from this study showed that lactating women continue to provide their offspring with a high level of 2′-FL one year after delivery, suggesting that 2′-FL may play an important role for infants in early life. Our findings also provide further evidence in support of breastfeeding after one-year postpartum.

Effects of an Amino Acid-Based Formula Supplemented with Two Human Milk Oligosaccharides on Growth, Tolerability, Safety, and Gut Microbiome in Infants with Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy

“…The concentrations of HMO in breast milk vary significantly between mothers, as well as for stages of lactation and maternal Lewis secretor status [ 17 ]. The concentrations of the HMO, 2′-fucosyllacose (2′-FL) at 1 g/L and lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) at 0.5 g/L in the study formula were chosen from within the range of observed breast milk concentrations [ 18 ]. A recent trial in infants with CMPA fed an EHF supplemented with 2′-FL and LNnT suggested a protective effect against respiratory and ear infections [ 19 ].…”

Effects of an Extensively Hydrolyzed Formula Supplemented with Two Human Milk Oligosaccharides on Growth, Tolerability, Safety and Infection Risk in Infants with Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy: A Randomized, Multi-Center Trial

“…Beneficial effects of HMO include the reduction in glycan-dependent viral infections (e.g., rotavirus), as well as an increased production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) by bifidobacteria, which create an acidic gut environment and protect from invasive enteropathogens [ 3 , 14 , 41 ]. The main HMO species in the breast milk of secretor mothers is 2′-FL, and it persists at levels of around 1g/L until about 12 months of age [ 18 ]. The test formula contained similar amounts of 2′-FL, and an anti-infective effect comparable to that seen in breastfed infants thus appears plausible.…”

“…By contrast, the gut microbiome of infants of nonsecretor mothers is low in bifidobacteria due to low levels of 2′-FL in breast milk, which may provide lower levels of biological protection against infections [ 17 ]. HMO levels in breast milk gradually decrease during lactation, however, in secretor mothers, significant levels of 2′-FL persist until at least 12 months after delivery [ 18 ]. Recently, 2′-FL and lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT) became novel ingredients in infant formulas [ 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

Current Advances in Structure–Function Relationships and Dose-Dependent Effects of Human Milk Oligosaccharides

“…The concentration of HMOs in breast milk can be influenced by many factors, including the lactation period, maternal phenotypes, gestational age, a lactating diet, maternal anthropometric parameters (e.g., parity, age, and prepregnancy BMI), and ethnicity. − Previous research investigated the effect of the lactation period and maternal phenotypes on the level of HMOs and demonstrated the variation of HMOs in different lactation stages and milk groups that were based on maternal phenotype. ,− The total concentration of HMOs decreased gradually during the stages of lactation. The content ranged from 20 to 25 g/L in the colostrum and 5 to 15 g/L in mature milk.…”