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Analysis of Fucosylated Human Milk Trisaccharides in Biotechnological Context Using Genetically Encoded Biosensors
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Infants Are Exposed to Human Milk Oligosaccharides Already in utero

Audra Wise1,2, Bianca Robertson1,2, Biswa Choudhury3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.

Frontiers in Pediatrics
|October 19, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are present in amniotic fluid, exposing the fetus during pregnancy. This finding suggests potential impacts on fetal and infant development, requiring further investigation.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Human Lactation
  • Perinatal Medicine

Background:

  • Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are unique, complex carbohydrates found in human milk.
  • Postnatal exposure to HMOs influences infant health and development.
  • Previous studies indicated HMO presence in maternal blood and urine during pregnancy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence of HMOs in amniotic fluid.
  • To determine if fetuses are exposed to HMOs in utero.

Main Methods:

  • Pilot study involving pregnant women.
  • Collection of maternal urine, amniotic fluid, and milk samples.
  • Analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry.

Main Results:

  • Identified several HMOs (e.g., 2'-fucosyllactose, 6'-sialyllactose) in amniotic fluid, urine, and milk.
  • This is the first report of HMOs in amniotic fluid.
  • Demonstrated fetal exposure to HMOs in utero.

Conclusions:

  • HMOs are present in amniotic fluid, indicating in utero fetal exposure.
  • Further research is needed to understand the implications for fetal and infant health.
  • This discovery opens new avenues for studying early-life nutrition and development.

Keywords:
amniotic fluidbreast milkhuman milk oligosaccharideimmune systemmicrobiomepregnancy

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