Maternal Diet Is Associated with Human Milk Oligosaccharide Profile

Abstract

Scope: Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are complex glycans that are abundant in human milk. The potential impact of a maternal diet on individual HMOs and the association with secretor status is unknown. Thus, this study is aimed to examine the association between maternal diet and HMO profiles.

Methods and results: This is a cross-sectional study of the MAMI cohort with 101 human milk samples from healthy mothers. HMO profiling is assessed by quantitative HPLC. Maternal dietary information is recorded through an FFQ, and perinatal factors including the mode of delivery, antibiotic exposure, and breastfeeding practices, are collected. A more significant effect of diet on HMO profiles is observed in secretor mothers than in non-secretor mothers. (Poly)phenols and fibers, both soluble and insoluble, and several insoluble polysaccharides, pectin, and MUFA are associated with the secretor HMO profiles.

Conclusions: Maternal diet is associated with the composition and diversity of HMO in a secretor status-dependent manner. The relationship between maternal diet and bioactive compounds, including HMOs, which are present in human milk, needs further research due its potential impact on infant development and health outcomes.

Keywords: breast milk; fiber; human milk oligosaccharides; maternal diet; secretor.