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Maternal milk, recognized as the ideal diet for infants, provides essential nutrients, beneficial microbes, and bioactive components. These elements collectively support optimal microbial growth and contribute to a healthy gut microbiota in early life.
Breastmilk factors like antigen delivery and gut bacteria influence regulatory T cells. This period is crucial.
The CHILD cohort study followed 885 pregnant mothers and their offspring from birth to 5 years of age. Human milk microbiota (HMM) is associated with the prevalence of childhood asthma and allergic sensitization (atopy) in breastfed infants.
Reduced Alfa diversity and increased Lawsonella abundance in HMM were associated with increased prevalence of childhood atopy.
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified maternal genetic loci (e.g., ADAMTS8, NPR1, and COTL1) associated with HMM with asthma and atopy, particularly Lawsonella and Alfa diversity.
A transcriptomic study found correlations between milk gene expression and human milk components, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), lactose, and glucose.
These studies indicate that host genomics influence breastmilk composition
Human milk is widely recognized as the gold standard in infant feeding due to its ability to support neurodevelopment and immune system maturation while adapting to the nutritional needs of newborns. Although it was once thought to be sterile, research has shown that human milk contains a diverse community of viable microbiota , including Bifidobacterium / Bifidobacter
The human milk microbiota (HMM) is believed to influence the long-term health of infants by contributing to the microbial colonization of their gastrointestinal tracts. This process is crucial for the development of a healthy gut microbiome
Vertical transmission of commensal bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium, from human milk to the infant gut is essential. If this transmission is altered or disrupted, it may lead to early-life gut dysbiosis in milk-fed infants
Human milk has many components and contains, in addition to life bacteria a great variety of complex carbohydrates called HMOs
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which are indigestible for humans because we lack the necessary glucosidases, provide “beneficial” microbes that specialize in metabolizing HMOs with a selective nutritional benefit
Human milk contains a plethora of factors with the potential to drive healthy development. It contains key macro-and micronutrients for the neonate to develop and thrive. It also provides important factors for developing a healthy gut, which forms a selective immune barrier with the capacity to take up nutrients and control systemic inflammation. Microbiota-shaping factors in milk aid in establishing a healthy gut microbiota which contributes to healthy gut development and which regulatory metabolites can circulate, protecting from inflammation. Together this will lead to healthy adipose tissue development, leading to optimal growth in infants.
Bacteria supplied by breast milk contribute to the maturation of the digestive and immune systems in the developing infant. They play an irreplaceable role in promoting growth and development.
Serotonin plays an important role in human breast milk volume homeostasis within the mammary gland during lactation
Human breast milk was long thought to be aseptic, and the presence of bacteria was presumed to be a result of contamination
Human breast milk contains many essential nutrients, including:
More than 200 bacterial taxa have been isolated from breast milk, principally Facultative aerobic bacteria / Facultative anaerobic organism such as:
Several species of Bifidobacterium (e.g., Bifidobacterium breve and Bifidobacterium longum) and Lactobacillus (e.g., Lactobacillus gasseri, Ligilactobacillus salivarius salivarius, Lacticaseibacillus (Lactobacillus) rhamnosus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, and Limosilactobacillus fermentum) have been isolated and identified (; ). These species have been granted Qualified Presumption of Safety status by the European Food Safety Authority and Generally Recognized as Safe status by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
Breast milk bacteria can maintain a healthy gut microbiota. They promote maternal and infant health, including:
Breast milk is an important factor for the development and maturation of an infant’s microbiota
Beyond nutrition, maternal milk offers bioactive components that influence biological processes and health.
Viable commensally mutualistic or potentially probiotic bacteria are present in healthy human milk
However, at least some of the bacteria present in the maternal gut could reach the mammary gland via an endogenous route
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) (5 to 15g/L) are besides of fat and lactose the third most represented component in breast milk
It is considered the best source of nutrition for infants
Human breast milk contains abundant breast milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which are indigestible for humans because we lack the necessary glucosidases
The microorganisms were thought to originate from:
* Pregnant women with mastitis
* The skin
* The vagina
* The intestine
* The oral cavity
Human milk from healthy women contains bacterial flora of approximately 10H3 to 10H4 cfu/mL and is a persistent source of Commensal Bacteria / Commensalism for infants
The first descriptions of the bacterial diversity of human milk from healthy women in 2003 were based on in vitro culturing methods
Human milk macronutrient percentage composition is approximately 0.8–0.9% protein, 4.5% fat, 7.1% carbohydrates, and 0.2% ash (minerals)
Of the carbohydrate amount, 80% consists of lactose, while the remaining 20% consists of HMOs
see also:
Bifidobacterium / Bifidobacter & Human milk / Breast milk
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding & Gut microbiota
Breast milk microbiota
Development of Gut Microbiota & Neonates / Early Childhood
Dysbiosis & Early-life (newborn)
Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs)
Oral tolerance
Probiotics (living agents) & Examples
Probiotics (living agents) & Properties