Abstract
The composition of human breast milk is affected by several factors, including genetics, geographic location and maternal nutrition. This study investigated the human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) of breastfeeding mothers living in Dubai and their relations with the milk microbiota. A total of 30 breast milk samples were collected from healthy Emirati and UAE-expatriates at Latifa Hospital. HMO profiling was performed using UHPLC-MS. Microbiota profiles were determined by sequencing amplicons of the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. HMO concentrations were significantly higher in Emirati, and dropped with the lactation period in both groups of mothers. The Le (a−b+)-secretor (Le+Se+) type was the most abundant in Dubai mothers (60%), followed by the Le(a−b−)-secretor (Le−Se+) type (23%). Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were considerably lower in Dubai-based mothers, while Pseudomonas and Delftia (Hydrogenophaga) were detected at a higher abundance compared to mothers from other countries. Atopobium was correlated with sialyl-lacto-N-tetraose c, Leptotrichia and Veillonella were correlated with 6’-sialyl-lactose, and Porphyromonas was correlated with lacto-N-hexaose. The study highlights the HMO profiles of breastfeeding mothers in Dubai and reveals few correlations with milk microbial composition. Targeted genomic analyses may help in determining whether these differences are due to genetic variations or to sociocultural and environmental factors.
Highlights
IntroductionHuman milk is known to provide optimal nutrition for the growth and development of infants
Human milk is known to provide optimal nutrition for the growth and development of infants.Breastfed infants have been shown to have a reduced risk of allergic diseases [1], sudden infant death syndrome, asthma, type 1 and 2 diabetes, gastroenteritis and respiratory tract infections [2]
The objective of this study was to investigate the levels and types of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in the milk of breastfeeding mothers living in Dubai, and to observe their relations with their milk microbiota
Summary
Human milk is known to provide optimal nutrition for the growth and development of infants. Breastfed infants have been shown to have a reduced risk of allergic diseases [1], sudden infant death syndrome, asthma, type 1 and 2 diabetes, gastroenteritis and respiratory tract infections [2]. Analyzing the composition of human milk is essential to understand the associated physiological advantages. Human milk contains bioactive components that are critical for the infant’s immune system, such as cytokines, immunoglobulins, antibodies, hormones and growth factors. Non-specific compounds, such as human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), whey proteins including lactoferrin, other proteins (such as lysozyme) and an abundant amount of bacteria are found in human milk [3,4]. HMOs are the third highest component of human milk, preceded by lactose and lipids [5]
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