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Updated: Mar 27, 2026
07:38
Milk Collection in the Rat Using Capillary Tubes and Estimation of Milk Fat Content by Creamatocrit
Published on: December 16, 2015
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Human milk fatty acids composition is affected by maternal age
Nurit Argov-Argaman1, Dror Mandel2,3, Ronit Lubetzky2,3
1a Department of Animal Science , The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem , Jerusalem , Israel.
Summary
Maternal age influences human milk
Area of Science:
- Human milk composition
- Nutritional science
- Maternal health
Background:
- Human milk is crucial for infant nutrition.
- Fatty acid (FA) composition can vary.
- Maternal factors may influence milk composition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of maternal age on human milk fatty acid composition.
- To compare colostrum and transition milk in different maternal age groups.
Main Methods:
- Collection of human colostrum and transition milk from women aged <37 and ≥37 years.
- Analysis of fatty acid composition, including omega-3 and omega-6 FAs.
- Statistical comparison between maternal age groups.
Main Results:
- Transition milk from younger mothers (<37 years) showed lower fat content.
- Younger mothers' transition milk had 10-fold higher concentrations of omega-6 fatty acids, eicosadienoic acid, and arachidonic acid.
- Gestational age impacted colostrum fat and FA composition only in older mothers (≥37 years).
Conclusions:
- Maternal age is a significant factor affecting human milk fatty acid composition.
- Dietary planning for pregnant women should consider maternal age.
- Further research into age-related milk composition changes is warranted.
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