The Composition of Human Milk and Infant Faecal Microbiota Over the First Three Months of Life: A Pilot Study

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Kiera Murphy1,2,3, David Curley4, Tom F O'Callaghan1,2

  • 1Food Biosciences, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Co Cork, Ireland.

Scientific Reports
|January 18, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Human milk harbors diverse bacteria, contributing to infant gut microbiota development. Breastfeeding facilitates vertical transfer, establishing key bacterial strains in newborns.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Human Milk Oligosaccharides
  • Infant Gut Microbiome

Background:

  • Human milk is a crucial source of nutrients and bioactive compounds for infants.
  • The infant gut microbiome plays a vital role in immune system development and overall health.
  • Understanding the origin and transmission of these microbes is essential for infant health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the bacterial communities in human milk and infant feces during the first three months of life.
  • To investigate the presence of viable Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in human milk.
  • To explore the hypothesis of vertical bacterial transfer from mother to infant via breastfeeding.

Main Methods:

  • MiSeq sequencing was employed to analyze bacterial diversity in milk and fecal samples from 10 mother-infant pairs.
  • Bacterial genera and phyla were identified and quantified.
  • Viable Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains were isolated and identified.

Main Results:

  • Human milk exhibited a high diversity of bacteria, with over 207 genera identified.
  • Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were predominant phyla, with Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus as key genera.
  • A core group of 12 genera constituted a significant portion of the milk microbiota, with shared genera between milk and infant feces supporting vertical transfer.

Conclusions:

  • Human milk possesses a rich and diverse bacterial community.
  • Breastfeeding likely facilitates the vertical transfer of bacteria, contributing to the establishment of the infant gut microbiota.
  • Specific bacterial strains, such as Bifidobacterium breve and Lactobacillus plantarum, can be transmitted from milk to infant feces.

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