Temporal changes of lipids in human milk

Temporal Changes of Human Breast Milk Lipids of Chinese Mothers

Giuffrida F, Cruz-Hernandez C, Bertschy E, Fontannaz P, Masserey Elmelegy I, Tavazzi I, Marmet C, Sanchez-Bridge B, Thakkar SK, De Castro CA, Vynes-Pares G, Zhang Y, Wang P


 

Lipids in human milk provide about 50% of total energy supply to the newborn. They are found in the form of fat globules, which consist on triacylglycerol surrounded by a membrane containing phospholipids, cholesterol, enzymes, protein and glycosphingolipids (e.g., gangliosides). In this study, milk of Chinese mothers living in three different regions of China was analyzed to determine the content of fatty acids, phospholipids and gangliosides along lactation. The samples included colostrum (0-5 days), transitional (6-15 days) and mature milk (16 days to 8 months).   

Lipids changed as lactation progressed: saturated fatty acid (SFA) content increased from colostrum to transitional milk and decreased in mature milk. Monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content was highest in colostrum, while total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) n-6 and n-3 were highest in mature milk. Phospholipids decreased and gangliosides increased along the lactation period. There were also regional differences in human milk lipids, which may result from maternal dietary habits and guarantee further investigation. 

Nutrients. 2016;8(11). pii: E715. doi.org/10.3390/nu8110715