Human Milk Oligosaccharides in Antenatal Colostrum: A Case Study

Area of Science:

• * Human Lactation Research
• * Neonatal Nutrition
• * Glycobiolog

Background:

• * Limited data exists on antenatal colostrum composition, especially regarding human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs).
• * HMOs are crucial bioactive components in human milk, influencing infant gut microbiota and immunity.
• * Understanding antenatal colostrum composition is vital for optimizing infant nutrition and health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To characterize the human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) composition of antenatal colostrum.
• * To compare antenatal colostrum HMOs with those in maternal urine and postnatal milk.
• * To determine the concentration and changes in HMOs and lactose throughout pregnancy and postpartum.

Main Methods:

• * A single healthy donor provided antenatal colostrum and urine samples from 19 weeks gestation to 3 months postpartum.
• * High-performance liquid chromatography was used to analyze HMO composition.
• * Enzymatic assays determined lactose concentrations.

Main Results:

• * The complete spectrum of HMOs, typical of a nonsecretor, was present in antenatal colostrum at 19 weeks gestation (7.5 mg/mL).
• * HMO concentrations peaked at 30 weeks gestation (>12.5 mg/mL) and declined thereafter, including postpartum.
• * Significant changes in HMO and lactose concentrations occurred around birth; antenatal colostrum HMOs differed from urine samples.

Conclusions:

• * Antenatal colostrum is a rich source of diverse HMOs from early pregnancy.
• * Maternal urine analysis does not fully reflect antenatal colostrum HMO composition.
• * Early-initiated antenatal colostrum feeding delivers a comprehensive profile of HMOs to newborns.