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Updated: Sep 21, 2025
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Milk Collection in the Rat Using Capillary Tubes and Estimation of Milk Fat Content by Creamatocrit
Published on: December 16, 2015
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Changes in Human Milk Fat Globule Composition Throughout Lactation: A Review.
Caroline Thum1, Clare Wall2, Li Day1
1AgResearch Ltd, Te Ohu Rangahau Kai, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Frontiers in Nutrition
|May 31, 2022
Summary
Human milk fat globule (MFG) composition changes during lactation, influencing infant health. Research highlights variations in MFG components and their benefits, often studied using bovine milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) ingredients.
Area of Science:
- Human lactation and infant nutrition
- Biochemistry of milk fat globule (MFG) components
- Immunology and cognitive development
Background:
- Growing interest in the dynamic changes of human milk fat globule (MFG) components during lactation.
- Understanding population-specific differences and infant health implications of MFG composition.
- Investigating the role of milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) components and their health benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review studies on human MFG components over 30 years, focusing on lactation changes.
- To identify infant and maternal factors influencing MFG composition.
- To explore the relationship between MFGM composition, function, and infant health benefits.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of published research on human milk fat globule (MFG) components.
- Analysis of studies investigating changes in MFG composition throughout lactation.
- Examination of research on the health benefits of milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) components, often using bovine-derived MFGM ingredients and animal models.
Main Results:
- Concentrations of phospholipids, gangliosides, cholesterol, fatty acids, and proteins in MFG vary throughout lactation.
- Observed changes in MFG components likely correspond to the evolving nutritional needs of the infant.
- Inconsistent trends for phospholipids and gangliosides may stem from diverse methodologies; maternal diet and geography influence MFGM composition.
Conclusions:
- MFG composition is dynamic and adapts to infant growth requirements.
- MFGM components show promise for supporting infant cognitive and immune health, as evidenced by bovine MFGM research.
- Further research is needed to clarify human MFGM dynamics and optimize its application in infant nutrition.
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