Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 19, 2026

A Method for Targeted 16S Sequencing of Human Milk Samples
Published on: March 23, 2018
Composition and biology of human milk
Brian K Stansfield1, Amy Gates1
1Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
None:
Human milk is a complex tissue that is uniquely transferred from one individual to another and changes over time. Beyond energy, macronutrients, minerals, and vitamins, human milk contains numerous cell populations and key compounds that communicate to the offspring and protect them from a potentially harmful environment. In recognition of this evolving complexity, this review will describe the compositional changes of human milk across lactation stages, beginning with colostrum, identify nutritional gaps that may exist for some term and most preterm infants provided an exclusive human milk diet, and highlight key differences between term, preterm, and donor human milk that are relevant for infant caregivers.
Related Concept Videos
Development of Human Microbiota
Introduction to the Human Microbiota
Compounds Essential to Human Function
Inorganic Compounds Essential to Human Functioning
Inorganic compounds essential to human functioning include water, salts, acids, and bases. These compounds are inorganic, i.e., they do not have a carbon-hydrogen bond. Water...
The Mammary Glands
Each breast features a pigmented projection known as the nipple, through which milk emerges via closely spaced openings of ducts, referred to as lactiferous ducts. Surrounding the nipple is a circular pigmented area of skin named the areola, which appears rough due to...
Anatomy of the Intestines
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
Composition of Blood Plasma

