Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 19, 2026

An Efficient Single—Person Technique for Milk Sampling from Laboratory Mice
Published on: March 28, 2025
The effect of lactational mastitis on the macronutrient content of breast milk
Birgul Say1, Evrim Alyamaç Dizdar1, Halil Degirmencioglu1
1Division of Neonatology, Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity Teaching Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Aims:
Mastitis in lactating mothers reduces milk production and alters the cellular composition of milk. Changes occurring in the mammary gland during the inflammatory response are believed to increase the permeability of the blood-milk barrier. This study examined the effect of mastitis during lactation on the macronutrient content of breast milk.
Methods:
The study was conducted at Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity Teaching Hospital. Transitional breast milk samples were obtained from term lactating mothers with or without mastitis. Milk protein, fat, carbohydrate, and energy levels were measured using a mid-infrared human milk analyzer.
Results:
The study recruited 30 term lactating mothers: 15 mothers diagnosed with mastitis and 15 healthy mothers. The characteristics of the mothers in both groups were similar. Fat, carbohydrate, and energy levels were statistically lower in the milk samples of mothers with mastitis compared with the mothers without mastitis.
Conclusion:
Lactational mastitis was associated with lower breast milk fat, carbohydrate, and energy levels. The local inflammatory response induced by cytokines and increased blood-milk barrier permeability might account for the changes in the fat, carbohydrate, and energy levels of human milk.
Related Concept Videos
The Mammary Glands
Each breast features a pigmented projection known as the nipple, through which milk emerges via closely spaced openings of ducts, referred to as lactiferous ducts. Surrounding the nipple is a circular pigmented area of skin named the areola, which appears rough due to...
Development of Human Microbiota
Development of the Oral Microbiota
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance
Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism
Fatty acids are catabolized in a process called beta-oxidation, which takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria and converts their fatty acid chains into two-carbon units of acetyl groups. The acetyl...

