Abstract
ScopeUnderstanding the biological functions of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in shaping gastrointestinal (GI) tract microbiota during infancy is of great interest. A link between HMOs in maternal milk and infant fecal microbiota composition is examined and the role of microbiota in degrading HMOs within the GI tract of healthy, breastfed, 1‐month‐old infants is investigated.Methods and resultsMaternal breast milk and infant feces are from the KOALA Birth Cohort. HMOs are quantified in milk and infant fecal samples using liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Fecal microbiota composition is characterized using Illumina HiSeq 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The composition is associated with gender, delivery mode, and milk HMOs: Lacto‐N‐fucopentaose I and 2′‐fucosyllactose. Overall, Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, Escherichia–Shigella, and Parabacteroides are predominating genera. Three different patterns in infant fecal microbiota structure are detected. GI degradation of HMOs is strongly associated with fecal microbiota composition, and there is a link between utilization of specific HMOs and relative abundance of various phylotypes (operational taxonomic units).ConclusionsHMOs in maternal milk are among the important factors shaping GI tract microbiota in 1‐month‐old breastfed infants. An infant's ability to metabolize different HMOs strongly correlates with fecal microbiota composition and specifically with phylotypes within genera Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, and Lactobacillus.
Highlights
During and after birth, microorganisms from the mother and other environmental sources colonize an infant
The composition of fucosylated human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in milk depends on the Lewis and secretor status of a mother, and in some samples, we did not detect fucosylated HMOs at all
GI tract microbiota composition in 1-month-old breastfed infants is shaped by multiple factors, including HMOs
Summary
Microorganisms from the mother and other environmental sources colonize an infant. Genetic and various environmental factors and life events further shape the microbial communities, making them specific to each body site and to each individual. These microbial ecosystems acquired and developed in early life play an important role in well-being and health, both during infancy and beyond.[1] One of the body sites that undergoes a rapid microbial colonization in early life is the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.[1] The anaerobic conditions in the lower GI tract favor the establishment of bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, and Clostridium.[1] Besides the absence of oxygen, diet is another key factor that has a strong influence on shaping the GI microbial ecosystem
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