High-throughput glycomic analyses reveal unique oligosaccharide profiles of canine and feline milk samples

PLoS One. 2020 Dec 3;15(12):e0243323. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243323. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Oligosaccharides are important components of milk, serving as substrates for the intestinal microbiota, acting as antimicrobials that prevent pathogen colonization, and supporting the developing gastrointestinal immune system of neonates. Nutrient composition of canine and feline milk samples has been described previously, but little is known about the oligosaccharide content. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize canine and feline milk samples using a high-throughput glycomics approach. 23 dogs (9 Labrador retriever and 14 Labrador retriever x golden retriever crossbreed) and 6 domestic shorthair cats were recruited to the study. Milk samples were collected by manual expression at time points after parturition. Samples were collected across 2 phases per species, differentiated by maternal diet. Following extraction, oligosaccharide content was determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). In canine milk samples, 3 structures accounted for over 90% of all oligosaccharides detected across two diet groups. These were 3'-sialyllactose, 6'-sialyllactose, and 2'-fucosyllactose. In feline samples, a more diverse range of oligosaccharides was detected, with up to 16 structures present at relative abundance >1% of the total. Difucosyllactose-N-hexaose b, 3'-sialyllactose and lacto-N-neohexaose were all detected at abundances >10% in feline milk samples. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in oligosaccharide abundances were observed between collection time points and between diet groups within species. These data explore the oligosaccharide content of canine and feline maternal milk, representing an opportunity to generate a fundamental understanding of the nutritional needs of new-born puppies and kittens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cats
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Glycomics*
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Milk / metabolism*
  • Oligosaccharides / analysis
  • Oligosaccharides / metabolism*
  • Species Specificity

Substances

  • Oligosaccharides

Grants and funding

This work was funded by Mars, Incorporated. The WALTHAM Pet Science Institute is the fundamental research centre for Mars Petcare. The funder provided support in the form of salaries for authors [DW, RH, KH, PJ, PW], but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section.