Formula feeding potentiates docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acid biosynthesis in term and preterm baboon neonates

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Neonatal Physiology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Infant formulas supplemented with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) are available, but their impact on infant biosynthesis is not fully understood.
• Breast milk contains naturally occurring levels of DHA and ARA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of standard and supplemented infant formulas on the biosynthesis and accretion of DHA and ARA in term and preterm baboon neonates.
• To compare these effects with those observed in breast-fed neonates.

Main Methods:

• Baboon neonates were assigned to four groups: term breast-fed, term formula-fed, preterm formula-fed, and preterm formula supplemented with DHA/ARA.
• At 14 days adjusted age, neonates received a combined oral dose of labeled linolenic acid (LNA) and linoleic acid (LA).
• Tissues were analyzed 14 days post-dose to measure DHA and ARA accretion.

Main Results:

• Formula feeding, both standard and supplemented, potentiated DHA and ARA biosynthesis/accretion in term and preterm neonates compared to breast-feeding.
• Dietary DHA supplementation partially reduced the excess DHA synthesis in preterm formula-fed neonates.
• Brain DHA accretion was approximately 3-fold greater in formula-fed groups than in the breast-fed group.

Conclusions:

• Infant formulas enhance DHA and ARA biosynthesis and accretion in neonates compared to breast milk.
• Supplementation of preterm formulas with DHA/ARA partially restores biosynthesis but does not normalize levels to those seen in breast milk.
• Current DHA concentrations in infant formulas are insufficient to fully normalize long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis to breast-fed levels.