Presence and levels of galactosyllactoses and other oligosaccharides in human milk and their variation during lactation and according to maternal phenotype

Eussen, S.R.B.M.; Mank, M.; Kottler, R.; Hoffmann, X.K.; Behne, A.; Rapp, E.; Stahl, B.; Mearin, M.L.; Koletzko, B.

doi:doi:10.3390/nu13072324

Among the human milk oligosaccharides (HMOS), the galactosyllactoses (GLs) are only limitedly studied. This study aims to describe the presence and relative levels of HMOS, including GLs, in human milk (HM) according to maternal Secretor and Lewis (SeLe) phenotype and lactation stage. Relative levels of 19 HMOS were measured in 715 HM samples collected in the first 4 months postpartum from 371 donors participating in the PreventCD study. From a subset of 24 Dutch women (171 HM samples), samples were collected monthly up to 12 months postpartum and were additionally analyzed for relative and absolute levels of beta 6 '-GL, beta 3 '-GL and alpha 3 '-GL. Maternal SeLe phenotype or HM group was assigned based on the presence of specific fucosylated HMOS. Most HMOS, including beta 6 '- and beta 3 '-GL, were present in the vast majority (>= 75%) of HM samples, whereas others (e.g., LNDFH II, 2 '-F-LNH and alpha 3 '-GL) only occurred in a low number (<25%) of samples. Clear differences...Show moreAmong the human milk oligosaccharides (HMOS), the galactosyllactoses (GLs) are only limitedly studied. This study aims to describe the presence and relative levels of HMOS, including GLs, in human milk (HM) according to maternal Secretor and Lewis (SeLe) phenotype and lactation stage. Relative levels of 19 HMOS were measured in 715 HM samples collected in the first 4 months postpartum from 371 donors participating in the PreventCD study. From a subset of 24 Dutch women (171 HM samples), samples were collected monthly up to 12 months postpartum and were additionally analyzed for relative and absolute levels of beta 6 '-GL, beta 3 '-GL and alpha 3 '-GL. Maternal SeLe phenotype or HM group was assigned based on the presence of specific fucosylated HMOS. Most HMOS, including beta 6 '- and beta 3 '-GL, were present in the vast majority (>= 75%) of HM samples, whereas others (e.g., LNDFH II, 2 '-F-LNH and alpha 3 '-GL) only occurred in a low number (<25%) of samples. Clear differences were observed between the presence and relative levels of the HMOS according to the maternal phenotype and lactation stage. Absolute concentrations of beta 6 '-GL and beta 3 '-GL were higher in HM group IV samples compared to samples of the other three HM groups. beta 3 '-GL was also higher in HM group II samples compared to HM group I samples. beta 3 '-GL and beta 6 '-GL were stable over lactation stages. In conclusion, presence and levels of HMOS vary according to HM group and lactation stage. Not all HMOS behave similarly: some HMOS depend strongly on maternal phenotype and/or lactation stage, whereas others do not. beta 3 '-GL and beta 6 '-GL were present in low concentrations in over 75% of the analyzed HM samples and showed differences between HM groups, but not between the lactation stages.Show less

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Presence and levels of galactosyllactoses and other oligosaccharides in human milk and their variation during lactation and according to maternal phenotype