Dietary Prebiotics, Milk Fat Globule Membrane, and Lactoferrin Affects Structural Neurodevelopment in the Young
Austin T Mudd1, Lindsey S Alexander2, Kirsten Berding3
1Piglet Nutrition and Cognition Laboratory, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA; Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA.
Insights
Supplementing infant formula with prebiotics, milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), and lactoferrin supported neurodevelopment in piglets. The TEST diet promoted advanced microstructure maturation and cognitive function compared to the control diet.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) and lactoferrin are key components influencing neurodevelopment.
- Current infant formulas may lack optimal levels of MFGM and lactoferrin compared to human milk.
- This study investigated a novel combination of prebiotics, MFGM, and lactoferrin for infant neurodevelopmental support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of a novel infant diet combining prebiotics, bovine-derived MFGM, and lactoferrin on neurodevelopment.
- To compare the neurodevelopmental outcomes of piglets fed a TEST diet versus a control (CONT) diet.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-four male piglets were fed either a TEST or CONT diet from 2 to 31 days of age.
- Cognitive function was assessed using a spatial T-maze starting at 17 days of age.
- Brain microstructure was analyzed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 30 days of age.
Main Results:
- Diffusion tensor imaging showed differences in the internal capsule's radial and mean diffusivities, with TEST piglets exhibiting less diffusion.
- Voxel-based morphometry revealed significant differences in cortical gray and white matter concentrations between groups.
- Piglets on the TEST diet demonstrated improved spatial learning in the T-maze, with shorter latency to choice.
Conclusions:
- The TEST diet, containing prebiotics, MFGM, and lactoferrin, promoted advanced maturation of brain microstructure and enhanced cognitive performance in piglets.
- These findings suggest that supplementing infant formula with this combination may support healthy neurodevelopment in human infants.
Introduction:
Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) and lactoferrin have been identified as two components that have potential to affect neurodevelopment. While concentrations of some MFGM constituents in infant formulas are within human milk range, they may not be present at optimal or clinically effective levels. However, lactoferrin levels of infant formulas are consistently reported to be lower than human milk. This study sought to provide a novel combination of prebiotics, bovine-derived MFGM, and lactoferrin and assess their influence on neurodevelopment.
Methods:
Twenty-four male piglets were provided either TEST (n = 12) or CONT (n = 12) diet from 2 to 31 days of age. Piglets underwent spatial T-maze assessment starting at 17 days of age, were subjected to magnetic resonance imaging at 30 days of age, and were euthanized for tissue collection at 31 days of age.
Results:
Diffusion tensor imaging revealed differences in radial (P = 0.032) and mean (P = 0.028) diffusivities in the internal capsule, where CONT piglets had higher rates of diffusion compared with TEST piglets. Voxel-based morphometry indicated larger (P < 0.05) differences in cortical gray and white matter concentrations, with CONT piglets having larger tissue clusters in these regions compared with TEST piglets. In the spatial T-maze assessment, CONT piglets exhibited shorter latency to choice compared with TEST piglets on day 2 of acquisition and days 3 and 4 of reversal.
Conclusion:
Observed differences in microstructure maturation of the internal capsule and cortical tissue concentrations suggest that piglets provided TEST diet were more advanced developmentally than piglets provided CONT diet. Therefore, supplementation of infant formula with prebiotics, MFGM, and lactoferrin may support neurodevelopment in human infants.
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