Sixth Month Of Lactation Research Articles

Breastmilk mineral composition among well-educated mothers from Central Poland – Associations with maternal dietary intake, dietary patterns and infant psychomotor development

BackgroundMaternal dietary habits could affect breastmilk mineral composition, which may influence infant development. Mineral dietary intake or supplementation slightly affects its breastmilk concentration. However, the intake of selected food groups or dietary patterns that reflect diet complexity could have a greater impact. Hence, the aim of the study was to assess breastmilk mineral composition at one, three, and six months of lactation among mothers living in urban area of Central Poland, as well as the evaluate maternal dietary determinants and associations with infant anthropometric and psychomotor development. MethodsThe study was conducted among 43 healthy and exclusively breastfeeding mothers. In the first, third, and sixth months of lactation, we collected breastmilk samples and assessed the concentration of Ca, P, Zn, Fe, Se, Ni, As, Pb, and Cd using the ICP-MS method. Maternal dietary habits were evaluated by a food frequency questionnaire in the first month of lactation, whereas in the third and sixth by the three-day food record. Based on the collected data adherence to the Polish-adapted Mediterranean (Pl-aMED; 1 month) and the DASH diet (Mellen’s Index; 3 and 6 months) was assessed. In the third and sixth months of lactation infant anthropometric parameters and the sixth month of lactation psychomotor development were evaluated. ResultsBreastmilk Se, Ni, As, Pb, and Cd levels were under the LOQ in all the breastmilk samples at all study visits. Median breastmilk mineral concentrations of Ca, P, Zn, and Fe in the first, third, and sixth months of lactation varied from 381.9 to 332.7 mg/L, 161.6 to 139.1 mg/L, 2.2 to 0.8 mg/L, and 0.26 to 0.17 mg/L, respectively. Maternal dietary intake and supplementation did not affect breastmilk Ca, P, Zn, and Fe. Pl-aMED scores were associated with breastmilk Ca (β = 0.489, 95% CI 0.180 – 0.799, p = 0.003) and Zn (β = 0.499, 95% CI 0.199 – 0.798, p = 0.002) in the first month of lactation, whereas no association with the DASH diet were observed in the third and sixth month of lactation. Breastmilk Fe in the third month was associated with infant motor development (β = 0.420, 95% CI 0.113 – 0.727, p = 0.009) in the sixth month of life, but no other associations with anthropometric or psychomotor development were observed. Moreover, we estimated that few infants meet their adequate intake (AI) requirements for P, Zn, and Fe. ConclusionOur study showed that maternal adherence to Pl-aMED is a significant predictor of breastmilk Ca and Zn in the first month of lactation, which may be especially important considering that more than 75% of infants had inadequate Zn intake. Moreover, we found that breastmilk Fe positively influenced infant motor development, despite the majority of infants having inadequate intake. On the other hand, no infant had deficiency symptoms, which emphasizes the necessity to evaluate of AI norms for infants.

Breastmilk PUFA strongly associated with maternal dietary intake but not anthropometric parameters and breastmilk carotenoids

BackgroundLong chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and the optimal n-6/n-3 fatty acids ratio are essential for proper neurodevelopment in infancy. This study aimed to evaluate the association between breastmilk fatty acid intake and maternal dietary intake, anthropometrics and breastmilk carotenoid levels. MethodsThis observational, prospective study included 44 women in the first, third, and sixth month of lactation. At each study visit, maternal anthropometric measures were assessed and breastmilk samples were collected and assessed for fatty acids and carotenoids. At the third and sixth month, maternal diet was evaluated by three-day foods record. ResultsMean breastmilk docosahexaenoic (DHA) was 0.58%, 0.47%, and 0.49%, respectively at the 1, 3, and 6 month (p ≤ 0.05). Mean DHA intake were higher in month 3 compared to 6: 357 vs. 169 mg/day. Pre-pregnancy BMI was associated with SFA, PUFA, and n-6 PUFA at 1 month, whereas current BMI to SFA at months 1 and 3. DHA was correlated with lycopene, total carotenoids at 1 month and total carotenoids at month 3, whereas n-3 PUFA to lycopene at 1 month. DHA, n-3 PUFA, n-6 PUFA and saturated (SFA) levels were associated with its dietary intake both at months 3 and 6, AA/DHA and LA/ALA ratios only at month 3. ConclusionsMaternal intake of PUFA and n-6/n-3 ratios were a good predictor of its breastmilk composition, whereas pre-pregnancy and current BMI, as well as breastmilk carotenoids had a limited influence.

Effects of energy and essential fatty acids content in breast milk on infant's head dimensions.

Essential fatty acids (EFA), including linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), are indispensable for proper brain growth especially in the first months after birth when it develops most rapidly. Since fats, especially EFA, in breast milk are highly variable between mothers, we indirectly examined whether milk energy, LA and ALA content in breast milk affect volume and shape of the infant's head. The study encompassed 60 mothers and their healthy term-born infants between the third and sixth month of lactation. The percentage of macronutrients and dry matter in human milk samples was assessed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and LA and ALA concentrations in breast milk were determined using gas chromatography (GC). Infant head measurements were taken using standard anthropometric equipment and methods. LA content in breast milk was found to be positively associated with head volume in boys. Furthermore, ALA content was positively associated with the head height-to-length ratio thus with more arched head in infants irrespective of sex. No relationship was found between milk energy content in mothers' milk and infant head dimensions. This is the first study to demonstrate a relationship between EFA concentration in human milk and infant head dimensions. Given that LA and ALA in human milk are variable in women and due to the extremely rapid growth of nerve tissue in the first months of life, adequate supply of EFA in breast milk should attract the attention of public health sciences.

Study of non-genetic effects that influences the milk yield in mestizo goats

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of environmental factors on milk yield in mestizo goats. Analyses of variance was performed for milk yield for test-day in the last third of lactation. The information for this study was taken from the goat production system of the Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander, Seccional Ocaña. The productive system has 90 animals, of which 840 samples of milk belonging to 20 goats were analyzed. Milk yield averages for 5th months lactation and 6th months lactation were 1.29±0.85 kg and 0.95±0.55 kg, with coefficients of variation from 29.11% to 39.46%, respectively. The initial results with the available information suggest that the non-genetic effects of birth month and year (and their interactions) were highly significant. While, the covariable age (linear effect) was not significant in any milk yield for test-day and the quadratic effect was highly significant and significant for fifth and sixth month of lactation, respectively. Consequently, it can be suggested that test-day milk yield in mestizo goats of Ocaña’s region is influenced by non-genetic factors such as the month, year and age of the female at kidding.

Carotenoid Content in Breastmilk in the 3rd and 6th Month of Lactation and Its Associations with Maternal Dietary Intake and Anthropometric Characteristics.

Carotenoids are diet-dependent milk components that are important for the visual and cognitive development of an infant. This study determined β-carotene, lycopene and lutein + zeaxanthin in breastmilk and its associations with dietary intake from healthy Polish mothers in the first six months of lactation. Concentrations of carotenoids in breastmilk were measured by HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) (first, third, sixth month of lactation) and dietary intake was assessed based on a three-day dietary record (third and sixth month of lactation). The average age of participants (n = 53) was 31.4 ± 3.8 years. The breastmilk concentrations of carotenoids were not changed over the progress of lactation. Lycopene was a carotenoid with the highest content in breastmilk (first month 112.2 (95% CI 106.1–118.3)—sixth month 110.1 (103.9–116.3) nmol/L) and maternal diet (third month 7897.3 (5465.2–10329.5) and sixth month 7255.8 (5037.5–9474.1) µg/day). There was a positive correlation between carotenoids in breastmilk and dietary intake (lycopene r = 0.374, r = 0.338; lutein + zeaxanthin r = 0.711, r = 0.726, 3rd and 6th month, respectively) and an inverse correlation with maternal BMI in the third month of lactation (β-carotene: r = −0.248, lycopene: r = −0.286, lutein + zeaxanthin: r = −0.355). Adjusted multivariate regression models confirmed an association between lutein + zeaxanthin intake and its concentration in breastmilk (third month: β = 0.730 (0.516–0.943); 6th: β = 0.644 (0.448–0.840)). Due to the positive associations between dietary intake and breastmilk concentrations, breastfeeding mothers should have a diet that is abundant in carotenoids.

Occurrence of ketone bodies in the urine of cows during the first three months after calving and their association with milk yield

Abstract. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of lactation number, month after calving, body condition at calving, milk yield and feeding season on the frequency and intensity of occurrence of ketone bodies in the urine during the first trimester after calving of Polish Holstein-Friesian cows cows with average annual milk yield of about 7,000 kg. It was also evaluated how the presence of ketone bodies in the urine of cows was associated with their milk production and the course of lactation. 479 urine samples were collected from the cows. The samples were tested using KRULAB test strips. The influence of the presence of ketone bodies on milk yield in 150 lactations and in 1,797 milk samples was also evaluated. It was found that 36.2 % of urine samples contained ketone bodies that could indicate various forms of ketosis. The frequency and intensity of the occurrence of ketone bodies in the urine was significantly influenced by the cows' body condition at calving, milk yield during standard lactation, the day the urine samples were collected and feeding season. The presence of ketones in the urine had little effect on milk yield in standard and complete lactations. Cows whose urine contained ketone bodies had significantly higher daily milk yield up to the sixth month of lactation. This could indicate that cows with high production potential are more susceptible to ketosis. The occurrence of ketones in the urine had a negative effect on the lactation curves of the cows tested.

Sources of variation in milk urea nitrogen in Paraná dairy cows

The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between milk urea nitrogen (MUN) and milk yield, fat and protein contents, breed and season effects, parity and days in milk in dairy cows from Parana State, Brazil. A total of 127,428 test-days from 16,013 dairy cows belonging to 96 herds enrolled in an official milk recording program were analyzed. Multivariate mixed model methodology was used to determine the relationship between MUN and the fixed effects and the covariable milk production. Milk urea nitrogen averaged 14.45±4.60 mg/dL. Positive and intermediate association between MUN and milk yield (r = 0.34) were found. Holstein cows showed lower MUN adjusted means than crossbred, Jersey, and Brown Swiss cows: 14.18 vs. 15.49, 16.12, and 17.62 mg/dL, respectively. First-lactation cows showed higher MUN values than second-lactation and older cows: 16.16 vs. 15.95, and 15.45 mg/dL, respectively. MUN test-days collected during the winter were higher than those collected in the other seasons. The effects of the lactation stage on MUN were significant, with the highest MUN values observed in the sixth month of lactation. High-producing dairy cows showed higher milk urea concentrations but several environmental factors may contribute to reduce this important parameter of diet utilization efficiency.

Fatty Acid Profile Comparisons in Human Milk Sampled From the Same Mothers at the Sixth Week and the Sixth Month of Lactation

To compare fatty acid composition of human milk at 2 different stages of lactation and investigate the relation between trans isomeric and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) in human milk at the sixth month of lactation. We investigated human milk samples obtained at the sixth week and sixth month of lactation from 462 mothers who participated in a large birth cohort study. Fatty acid composition of human milk lipids was determined by high-resolution capillary gas-liquid chromatography. Fat contents of human milk increased significantly between the sixth week and sixth month of lactation (1.63 [2.06] and 3.19 [3.14], g/100 mL; median [interquartile range], P < 0.001). Percentage contributions to human milk fatty acid composition of nearly all polyunsaturated fatty acids also increased significantly (linoleic acid: 10.09 [4.41] and 11.01 [4.53], arachidonic acid: 0.46 [0.32] and 0.48 [0.23], alpha-linolenic acid: 0.69 [0.42] and 0.75 [0.41], and docosahexaenoic acid: 0.17 [0.23] and 0.23 [0.15], % wt/wt, P < 0.001). Values of the 18-carbon trans octadecenoic acid (C18:1n-7/9t) significantly inversely correlated to linoleic acid (r = -0.24, P < 0.001), alpha-linolenic acid (r = -0.19, P < 0.001), and arachidonic acid (r = -0.43, P < 0.001). In contrast, we found no correlation between the 16-carbon trans hexadecenoic acid (C16:1n-7t) and the same LCPUFAs. Data obtained in the present study indicate increasing fat contents with stable or increasing percentage contribution of LCPUFAs in human milk samples between the sixth week and at the sixth month of lactation, and the availability of 18-carbon trans isomeric fatty acids is inversely associated to the availability of several LCPUFAs in human milk at the sixth month of lactation.

Calcium consumption by nursing mothers and children from risk groups on decreased mineral bone density in different age periods under conditions of the city of Tomsk

We have studied the calcium consumption by nursing mothers and children from risk groups on decreased mineral bone density in different age periods under conditions of Tomsk. The calcium content in breast milk in the first six month of lactation was determined by the method of instrumental neutron-activation analysis. It has been found that the calcium consumption by the most nursing mothers corresponded to physiological norms. In the lactation dynamics, the calcium content in the breast milk decreased at the third month and increased at the sixth month of lactation. The average calcium consumption was (834,3 ± 132,3) mg in children aged of 1—3 and (959,0 ± 99,5) mg/day in children of 4—6 years old. Among schoolchildren, the average calcium consumption was (860,3 ± 98,2) mg/day in the age of 7—10 and (777,9 ± 59,3) mg/day in eth age of 11—18. It is 1,2—1,6 times lower than the recommended norm. In teenagers, the calcium deficit in food is more often compared to preschool children.

Fat content and fatty acids profile of colostrum and milk of primitive Konik horses (Equus caballus gmeliniAnt.) during six months of lactation

The effect of the stage of lactation, the number of foals and age of the mare on changes in the fat content and fatty acid composition of colostrum and milk of primitive Konik horses was investigated. Colostrum and milk samples from 12 lactating mares were collected at the beginning of lactation, on the days 1 and 2 after foaling and then, starting from the first month of lactation, at 4-week intervals up to the sixth month of lactation. Significant differences were observed in fat content as well as the composition of some analysed fatty acids between colostrum and milk of mares of the Konik breed. The number of foalings and the age of mares did not have a statistically significant effect on the fat content in milk and had only a slight effect on the fatty acid composition. Milk produced by mares of the Konik breed is characterized by a considerable content of polyene fatty acids with 18 carbon atoms, a low ratio of n-6 fatty acids to n-3 fatty acids as well as low, highly advantageous values of atherogenic and thrombogenic indices.

Effect of the stage of lactation on somatic cell counts in healthy goats ( Caprae hircus) breed in Brazil

The objective of the present trial was to evaluate the effect of the stage of lactation on somatic cell counts (SCC) in milk produced by healthy goats. Forty goats that presented no clinical signs of udder inflammatory process, and whose milk was negative in bacteriological examination were used. All animals were kept in the same management system and received the same diet. They were submitted to monthly collections of milk for 8 months. Milk was analyzed by means of the California Mastitis Test (CMT), automatic SCC and bacteriological examination. The following values were recorded from the first to the eighth month of lactation: 2.56, 4.42, 3.45, 8.52, 5.96, 5.84, 6.41 and 6.51 × 10 5 somatic cells/mL of milk, respectively. When the first trimester and the period between the fifth and the eighth month of lactation were compared, there was an increase in cell counts. Percentage of 1+, 2+ and 3+ CMT reactions increased from the sixth month of lactation on. Results showed that there was an increase in the number of somatic cells in milk as lactation went by, which was demonstrated by both counting methods.

Dietary Supplements for Lactating Goats by Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid-Rich Protected Fat. Effects After Supplement Withdrawal

The objective of this study was to investigate the persistence of the effects of supplements after they were withdrawn. Two groups of 12 goats were maintained under semiextensive breeding conditions; they were fed indoors with a concentrate with alfalfa hay and olive-tree leaves. Goats were in their sixth month of lactation at initiation of the study. During the first month of the trials, the concentrate supplied to the goats was either nonsupplemented (group 1) or supplemented with 9% polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)-rich protected fat (group 2). After this period, the 2 groups were given the nonsupplemented until the average daily production of milk per animal within each group had decreased to 300g or less. The fat supplementation supplied increased milk production and also improved fat and protein yield. These effects persisted after the supplement was withdrawn. The supplement, moreover, produced noticeable changes in the fatty acids profile of the milk fat, namely a reduction in the concentration of saturated fatty acids and an increase in that of PUFA. In contrast to the effects on milk production and on the yield of its main constituents, the effects on fat composition disappeared when the supplement was withdrawn.

Effect of bovine somatotropin injected as a sustained-release formulation at three injection intervals on the production and composition of milk from dairy cattle grazing pasture and supplemented with a grain concentrate

Milk production and composition were measured, during spring, in 63 autumn-calving Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle either not injected or injected subcutaneously with a sustained-release bovine somatotropin formulation. Injections were given at 28-, 21- or 14-day intervals over a period of 84 days commencing in the sixth month of lactation. The cattle grazed pasture and were supplemented with a grain concentrate. Mean daily yields of milk (L), fat (kg) and protein (kg) were significantly higher in cattle injected at 28-day (17.6, 0.73, 0.56), 21-day (18.1, 0.76, 0.59), and 14-day (18.8, 0.80, 0.61) intervals, compared with yields of cows not injected (15.9, 0.68, 0.51). Yields of fat and protein were significantly different between all the injection interval treatments. Yield responses to injection were greater in cows than in heifers. There were no significant differences between treatments in milk fat content. The milk protein content (g/kg) of cows injected at 21-day intervals (33.2) was significantly greater than that of cows not injected (32.7) and those injected at the 28-day (32.6) and 14-day (32.6) intervals. It was concluded that bovine somatotropin injected subcutaneously as a sustained-release formulation was effective at all injection intervals in increasing the production of milk and milk components in mid to late lactation in dairy cattle grazing pasture and supplemented with a grain concentrate.

Intake of straw, alkali-treated straw and hay by Saanen goats in mid lactation

In the Uk there is a growing interest in the rearing of goats as an integral enterprise of the farming system. If feed costs are to be kept to a minimum, maximum utilization of cereal residues is imperative. Alkali treatment is a cheap and effective method of improving intake of straw and animal performance in cattle and sheep but very little is known about its value for lactating goats. The objective of the present study was to compare barley straw, alkali-treated straw (TS) and grass hay as forages for goats in mid lactation.Twenty-two multi-parous British Saanen goats in their sixth month of lactation were allocated on liveweight basis to each of the three forages which were individually fed ad libitum through Calan gates. The Panda barley straw was treated in a solution containing 15g sodium hydroxide and 7g urea per litre, using the dip method for whole bales. The grass hay was chopped. Each goat was offered 350g dairy concentrate at both morning and afternoon milkings (700g concentrate/day). Forage intake and milk yield were recorded daily. Milk samples were taken weekly at two successive milkings and the goats were weighed twice weekly during the 4 weeks of data collection after 4 weeks of adaptation.

Zinc concentrations in human milk during lactation: a 6-month longitudinal study in southern Brazil.

Human milk zinc concentrations from women of low socioeconomic status in Ribeirao Preto, Southern Brazil, were studied. A group of 23 mothers, 17 multiparae and six primiparae aged from 17 to 39 years, were included in a 6-month longitudinal study. A total of 192 samples were collected starting from colostrum and then at 15-day intervals until the end of the sixth month of lactation. Initial zinc values (0.47 +/- 0.10 mg/dl) fell by about 40 per cent during the second week of lactation to 0.28 +/- 0.06 mg/dl, the decrease progressively increasing up to the 24th week (0.11 +/- 0.03 mg/dl). Zinc values were significantly higher in the colostrum than in any of the later collections (P less than 0.05). The values obtained at 15 days were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) than those obtained later, except for those obtained on the 30th day, which were higher than all of those, obtained later (P less than 0.05). The values obtained after 75 days of nursing, although steadily decreasing, were not statistically different. The data of the present study demonstrate a significant reduction in zinc levels during lactation, the amount of zinc provided by breast-milk being lower than those recommended by the recommended dietary allowance in the United States.