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Interactions between cortisol and lipids in human milk.

Kaisa M Linderborg1, Maaria Kortesniemi2, Anna-Katariina Aatsinki3

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Food Chemistry and Food Development, University of Turku, Itäinen Pitkäkatu 4C, FI-20014, Turun yliopisto, Turku, Finland. kaisa.linderborg@utu.fi.

International Breastfeeding Journal
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PubMed
Summary

Human breast milk cortisol levels are associated with specific fatty acids in both neutral and polar lipids. This suggests cortisol influences the lipid composition of breast milk, impacting infant nutrition.

Keywords:
CortisolFatty acidsHuman milkLipidsPhospholipidsTriacylglycerols

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Area of Science:

  • Human biology
  • Nutritional science
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Human breast milk is a critical early exposure for infants, containing bioactive compounds like cortisol and fatty acids.
  • Maternal lipid metabolism may influence the levels of these compounds in breast milk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the associations between human milk cortisol concentrations and the fatty acid composition of milk lipids.
  • To explore the potential role of cortisol in determining breast milk lipid profiles.

Main Methods:

  • Human milk samples from the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study were analyzed for cortisol levels using luminescence immunoassay.
  • Milk samples were categorized into high (>10 nmol/L) and low (<3 nmol/L) cortisol groups (n=50 each).
  • Fatty acid content and composition in neutral (triacylglycerol-rich) and polar (phospholipid-rich) lipids were determined by gas chromatography.

Main Results:

  • High milk cortisol was linked to increased levels of lauric, myristic, eicosenoic, and docosenoic acids, and decreased palmitic acid in neutral lipids.
  • In polar lipids, high cortisol was associated with higher myristic and docosenoic acid content.
  • Milk cortisol remained a significant predictor for specific fatty acids in both lipid fractions after adjusting for maternal BMI and sampling time.

Conclusions:

  • Significant associations exist between milk cortisol levels and the fatty acid profile of human milk.
  • Cortisol may be a contributing factor influencing the lipid origins and composition of human breast milk.