Changes in the Fatty Acid Profile of Lactating Women Living in Poland-A Comparison with the Fatty Acid Profile of Selected Infant Formulas.

The present study examined the fatty acid content of human milk from Polish women living in the Warmia and Mazury region with regard to different lactation periods and compared it with the fatty acid content of selected infant formulas. The analysis included samples of breast milk-colostrum (n = 21), transitional milk (n = 26), and mature milk (n = 22). Fat was extracted using the Rose-Gottlieb method, and the fatty acid profile was determined by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (FID). The proportion of SFAs (saturated fatty acids) > MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids) > PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) was determined in each fraction of breast milk and infant formula. Palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids predominated in breast milk and infant formulas. Colostrum contained lower contents of selected SFAs (caprylic, capric, lauric) and higher contents of selected MUFAs (ercucic) and PUFAs (arachidonic and docosahexaenoic) (p < 0.05) relative to transitional and mature milk. Infant formulas were distinguished from human milk in terms of their SFA (caproic, caprylic, lauric, arachidic), MUFA (oleic), and PUFA (linoleic, α-linoleic) content. It should be noted that infant formulas contained significantly lower trans fatty acid (TFA) content-more than thirty-six and more than nineteen times lower than in human milk. Furthermore, human milk contained branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) at 0.23-0.28%, while infant formulas contained only trace amounts of these acids. The average ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids for human milk was 6.59:1 and was close to the worldwide ratio of 6.53 ± 1.72:1. Both principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) indicated significant differences in the fatty acid profile relative to lactation and a different profile of infant formulas relative to breast milk.

Assessment of Heavy Metals and Trace Elements in the Human Milk of Women Living in Latvia and an Evaluation of Influencing Factors.

During lactation, heavy metals and trace elements can be mobilised from the maternal body stores and excreted via human milk. A total of 66 mature human milk samples were collected from lactating women in Latvia between 2016 and 2017 to analyse the content of As, Cd, Pb, Al, Sn, and Ni. Additionally, 50 mature human milk samples were collected between 2022 and 2023 to analyse the content of Cd and Pb. The content of heavy metals and trace elements in human milk was determined using ICP-MS. Only two individual human milk samples contained heavy metals above the method's detection limit-one with an arsenic content of 0.009 mg kg-1 and one with a lead content of 0.047 mg kg-1. The preliminary data show that human milk among lactating women in Latvia contains only insignificant amounts of heavy metals and trace elements. Concern over such content should not be a reason to choose formula feeding over breastfeeding. Nevertheless, heavy metals, trace elements and other pollutants in human milk should be continuously monitored.

Identification and characterization of whole blood gene expression and splicing quantitative trait loci during early to mid-lactation of dairy cattle.

BACKGROUND: Characterization of regulatory variants (e.g., gene expression quantitative trait loci, eQTL; gene splicing QTL, sQTL) is crucial for biologically interpreting molecular mechanisms underlying loci associated with complex traits. However, regulatory variants in dairy cattle, particularly in specific biological contexts (e.g., distinct lactation stages), remain largely unknown. In this study, we explored regulatory variants in whole blood samples collected during early to mid-lactation (22-150 days after calving) of 101 Holstein cows and analyzed them to decipher the regulatory mechanisms underlying complex traits in dairy cattle. RESULTS: We identified 14,303 genes and 227,705 intron clusters expressed in the white blood cells of 101 cattle. The average heritability of gene expression and intron excision ratio explained by cis-SNPs is 0.28 ± 0.13 and 0.25 ± 0.13, respectively. We identified 23,485 SNP-gene expression pairs and 18,166 SNP-intron cluster pairs in dairy cattle during early to mid-lactation. Compared with the 2,380,457 cis-eQTLs reported to be present in blood in the Cattle Genotype-Tissue Expression atlas (CattleGTEx), only 6,114 cis-eQTLs (P < 0.05) were detected in the present study. By conducting colocalization analysis between cis-e/sQTL and the results of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) from four traits, we identified a cis-e/sQTL (rs109421300) of the DGAT1 gene that might be a key marker in early to mid-lactation for milk yield, fat yield, protein yield, and somatic cell score (PP4 > 0.6). Finally, transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) revealed certain genes (e.g., FAM83H and TBC1D17) whose expression in white blood cells was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with complex traits. CONCLUSIONS: This study investigated the genetic regulation of gene expression and alternative splicing in dairy cows during early to mid-lactation and provided new insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying complex traits of economic importance.

Changes in Concentrations of Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Human Milk Over Lactation Time and Effects of Maternal Exposure via Analysis of Matched Samples.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are potentially related to many adverse health outcomes and could be transferred from maternal blood to human milk, which is an important exposure source for infants during a long-term period. In this study, the maternal blood of 76 women after delivery and their matched human milk samples obtained at 0.5, 1, and 3 months were analyzed by solid-phase extraction method with metal-organic framework/polymer hybrid nanofibers as the sorbents and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-negative electrospray ionization mass spectrometric for quantitative analysis of 31 PFAS. The perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorooctane sulfonate, and N-methyl perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid (N-MeFOSAA) contributed to more than approximately 50% of the total PFAS concentrations in blood and human milk, while N-MeFOSAA (median: 0.274 ng/mL) was the highest PFAS in human milk at 3 months. The transfer efficiencies for PFAS from maternal blood to human milk at 0.5 months were generally lower, with medians ranging from 0.20% to 16.9%. The number of PFAS species detected in human milk increased as the lactation time went on from 0.5 to 3 months, and the concentrations of 10 PFAS displayed an increasing trend as the prolongation of lactation time (p < 0.05).

Postpartum depression and partner support during the period of lactation: Correlation research and its influencing factors.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression (PPD) not only affects the psychological and physiological aspects of maternal health but can also affect neonatal growth and development. Partners who are in close contact with parturient women play a key role in communication and emotional support. This study explores the PPD support relationship with partners and its influencing factors, which is believed to establish psychological well-being and improve maternal partner support. AIM: To explore the correlation between PPD and partner support during breastfeeding and its influencing factors. METHODS: Convenience sampling was used to select lactating women (200 women) who underwent postpartum examinations at the Huzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital from July 2022 to December 2022. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on the basic information (general information questionnaire), depression level [edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS)], and partner support score [dyadic coping inventory (DCI)] of the selected subjects. Pearson's correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between PPD and DCI in lactating women. Factors affecting PPD levels during lactation were analyzed using multiple linear regression. RESULTS: The total average score of EPDS in 200 lactating women was (9.52 ± 1.53), and the total average score of DCI was (115.78 ± 14.90). Dividing the EPDS, the dimension scores were: emotional loss (1.91 ± 0.52), anxiety (3.84 ± 1.05), and depression (3.76 ± 0.96). Each dimension of the DCI was subdivided into: Pressure communication (26.79±6.71), mutual support (39.76 ± 9.63), negative support (24.97 ± 6.68), agent support (6.87 ± 1.92), and joint support (17.39 ± 4.19). Pearson's correlation analysis demonstrated that the total mean score and individual dimension scores of EPDS during breastfeeding were inversely correlated with the total score of partner support, stress communication, mutual support, and co-support (P < 0.05). The total mean score of the EPDS and its dimensions were positively correlated with negative support (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the main factors affecting PPD during breastfeeding were marital harmony, newborn health, stress communication, mutual support, negative support, co-support, and the total score of partner support (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PPD during breastfeeding was associated with marital harmony, newborn health, stress communication, mutual support, negative support, joint support, and the total DCI score.

The Influence of the Lactation Period and the Type of Milk on the Content of Amino Acids and Minerals in Human Milk and Infant Formulas.

(1) Background: This study investigated the effect of the lactation period and the type of infant formula on the content of amino acids and selected minerals in an infant's food; (2) Methods: The study material consisted of breast milk (colostrum, n = 38; transitional milk, mature milk, n = 38) and three types of infant formulas (for first and follow-on feeding). Amino acid content was determined using an automatic amino acid analyzer, while minerals were determined by the atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) technique; (3) Results: Breast milk and infant formulas contained a full range of essential amino acids. In most cases, the content of individual amino acids and minerals decreased with increasing lactation. In infant formulas, there were higher contents of phenylalanine, glutamic acid, proline, serine, and tyrosine in follow-on milk (p < 0.05). The EAA/TAA ratio in breast milk and infant formulas was similar, but the milk differed in their qualitative composition. Infant formulas contained levels of individual minerals that were several times higher-especially Mg, Ca, Mn, and Fe.; (4) Conclusions: Colostrum is more concentrated, and the level of amino acids and minerals is higher in it; as the milk matures, it decreases. In most cases, the content of individual amino acids and minerals is higher in infant formulas than in human milk, which is established through strict Codex Alimentarius procedures to ensure the proper development of infants.

The propionate-GPR41 axis in infancy protects from subsequent bronchial asthma onset.

Evidence has accumulated that gut microbiota and its metabolites, in particular the short-chain fatty acid propionate, are significant contributors to the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases. However, little is known regarding its impact on pediatric bronchial asthma, one of the most common allergic diseases in childhood. This study aimed to elucidate whether, and if so how, intestinal propionate during lactation is involved in the development of bronchial asthma. We found that propionate intake through breast milk during the lactation period resulted in a significant reduction of airway inflammation in the offspring in a murine house dust mite-induced asthma model. Moreover, GPR41 was the propionate receptor involved in suppressing this asthmatic phenotype, likely through the upregulation of Toll-like receptors. In translational studies in a human birth cohort, we found that fecal propionate was decreased one month after birth in the group that later developed bronchial asthma. These findings indicate an important role for propionate in regulating immune function to prevent the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma in childhood.

Assessment of endocrine disrupting chemicals in breast milk: Association with dietary habits and duration of lactation.

The present study was aimed to assess infant safety associated with the presence of persistent organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in breast milk, a possible route of transfer of endocrine-disrupting chemicals to newborns in North India. Colostrum and breast milk samples (n = 130) were collected at different stages of lactation. Pesticides analysis was performed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). We observed that of all the samples analysed, OCPs concentration was higher in breast milk than in colostrum, suggesting pesticides contamination increases over lactation period. As far as OCPs are concerned, dieldrin [1196.64 ± 673.75 ng/g lipid weight (lw)], and ß-HCH [1107.78 ± 1301.72 ng/g lw], were the predominant OCPs, followed by aldrin [977.09 ± 707.69 ng/g lw], α-HCH [948.04 ± 476.65 ng/g lw] and 1,1'-(2,2-Dichloroethene-1,1-diyl)bis(4-chlorobenzene) (p,p'DDE) [790.11 ± 399.35 ng/g lw]. The association between OCPs levels and women dietary habits were also explored, and all the OCPs were grouped and compared to each other by consumption level of fish, meat, sea foods, eggs, and dairy products. We found that women consuming non vegetarian food, like fish and meat, were exposed 3.5 times more to OCPs than women consuming vegetarian food. In addition, we also observed that factors like mother's age was positively (<0.005 - <0.001) correlated while gestational age and infant birth weight were negatively (<0.005) associated with the levels of OCPs in colostrum and breast milk, respectively. Unfortunately, neither any standards nor guidelines are available for the use of pesticides, therefore, it is suggested that careless use of OCPs should be checked and suitable remedial measures be taken to decrease human contamination. Moreover, further studies are warranted to elucidate relationship between pesticide residues in breast milk and the maternal and child health.

Slower Growth during Lactation Rescues Early Cardiovascular and Adipose Tissue Hypertrophy Induced by Fetal Undernutrition in Rats.

Low birth weight (LBW) and accelerated growth during lactation are associated with cardiometabolic disease development. LBW offspring from rats exposed to undernutrition during gestation (MUN) develops hypertension. In this rat model, we tested if slower postnatal growth improves early cardiometabolic alterations. MUN dams were fed ad libitum during gestation days 1-10, with 50% of the daily intake during days 11-21 and ad libitum during lactation. Control dams were always fed ad libitum. Pups were maintained with their own mother or cross-fostered. Body weight and length were recorded weekly, and breastmilk was obtained. At weaning, the heart was evaluated by echocardiography, and aorta structure and adipocytes in white perivascular fat were studied by confocal microscopy (size, % beige-adipocytes by Mitotracker staining). Breastmilk protein and fat content were not significantly different between groups. Compared to controls, MUN males significantly accelerated body weight gain during the exclusive lactation period (days 1-14) while females accelerated during the last week; length growth was slower in MUN rats from both sexes. By weaning, MUN males, but not females, showed reduced diastolic function and hypertrophy in the heart, aorta, and adipocytes; the percentage of beige-type adipocytes was smaller in MUN males and females. Fostering MUN offspring on control dams significantly reduced weight gain rate, cardiovascular, and fat hypertrophy, increasing beige-adipocyte proportion. Control offspring nursed by MUN mothers reduced body growth gain, without cardiovascular modifications. In conclusion, slower growth during lactation can rescue early cardiovascular alterations induced by fetal undernutrition. Exclusive lactation was a key period, despite no modifications in breastmilk macronutrients, suggesting the role of bioactive components. Our data support that lactation is a key period to counteract cardiometabolic disease programming in LBW and a potential intervention window for the mother.

Feeding of palm oil fatty acids or rapeseed oil throughout lactation: Effects on mammary gene expression and milk production in Norwegian dairy goats.

Lipid added as rapeseed or palm oil to the diet of dairy goats over 8 mo of one lactation alters fat secretion and milk fatty acid (FA) and protein composition. In this study, we examined the contribution of mammary gene expression to these changes and included 30 multiparous goats of Norwegian dairy goat breed for a 230-d experimental period, with indoor feeding from 1 to 120 d in milk (DIM), mountain grazing from 120 to 200 DIM, and indoor feeding from 200 to 230 DIM. After an initial period (1-60 DIM) when the control diet was given to all goats, the animals were subdivided into 3 groups of 10 goats. Treatments (60-230 DIM) were basal concentrate (control) alone or supplemented with either 8% (by weight) hydrogenated palm oil enriched with palmitic acid (POFA) or 8% (by weight) rapeseed oil (RSO). Milk was sampled individually from all animals throughout lactation, at 60, 120, 190, and 230 DIM for milk yield and composition. On d 60, 120, 190, and 230, mammary tissue was collected by biopsy to measure mRNA abundance of 19 key genes. None of the 19 genes involved in milk protein, apoptosis, lipid metabolism, transcription factors, and protein of the milk fat globule membrane, as measured by mRNA abundance, were affected by the lipid supplements, although POFA increased milk fat content, and POFA and RSO affected milk FA composition. Over the experimental period (120-230 DIM), the mRNA abundance of 13 of the 19 studied genes was affected by lactation stage. For some genes, expression either gradually increased from 120 to 230 DIM (CSN2, CASP8, CD36, GLUT4) or increased from 120 to 200 and then remained stable (XDH), or decreased (CSN3, G6PD, SREBF1, PPARG1) or increased only at 230 DIM (SCD1, SCD5, ELF3). For a second group of genes (CSN1, LALBA, FABP3, FASN, LPL, MFGE8), expression was stable over the lactation period. Our results suggest that factors other than gene expression, such as substrate availability or posttranscriptional regulation of these genes, could play an important role in the milk fat and FA responses to dietary fat composition in the goat. In conclusion, mammary gene expression in goats was more regulated by stage of lactation than by the dietary treatments applied.

Implementation of a healthy diet to lactating rats attenuates the early detrimental programming effects in the offspring born to obese dams. Putative relationship with milk hormone levels.

Lactation is a critical period of development and alterations in milk composition due to maternal diet or status may affect infant growth. We aimed to evaluate in rats whether improving maternal nutrition during lactation attenuates early imprinted adverse metabolic effects in the offspring born to obese dams. Three groups were studied: Control (C) dams, fed with standard diet; Western diet (WD) dams, fed with WD 1 month prior to gestation and during gestation and lactation; and Reversion (Rev) dams, fed as WD-dams, but moved to a standard diet during lactation. Macronutrient content, insulin, leptin and adiponectin levels were determined in milk. Phenotypic traits and circulating parameters in dams and their offspring were determined throughout lactation. Results showed that, at weaning, WD-dams displayed lower body weight and greater plasma insulin and non-esterified fatty acids levels than C-dams, and signs of hepatic steatosis. Milk from WD-dams showed lower protein content and insulin, leptin, and adiponectin levels during the entire or the late lactation. Rev-dams retained excess body fat content, but milk composition and most circulating parameters were not different from controls at late lactation and showed higher leptin mRNA levels in mammary gland than WD-dams. The offspring of WD-dams, but not that of Rev-dams, displayed higher body weight, adiposity, and circulating leptin and glucose levels than controls at weaning. In conclusion, dietary improvement during lactation prevents early adverse effects in offspring associated with maternal intake of an obesogenic diet, that may be related with the normalization of milk hormone levels.

Productive Performance and Blood Biochemical Parameters of Dairy Cows Fed Different Levels of High-Protein Concentrate.

This study investigated the productive traits and some blood biochemical parameters of high-yielding Ayrshire dairy cows fed at different levels of Agro-Matic@LLC NGO, Russia (Agro-Matic (AM)) protein concentrate. A total of 45 high-yielding Ayrshire cows were selected and divided into three groups, each 15. The control group (0AM) fed the basal ration, while group two (1AM) and group three (2AM) fed a basal ration by replacing sunflower cake with different levels of AM (1 and 1.5 kg/head/day), respectively. Milk and blood samples were collected. The current results revealed that the ratio of rumen undegradable protein to rumen degradable protein during the period of lactation was significantly higher in the 1AM and 2AM compared with 0AM and represented (55.04, 62.14, and 41.73%), respectively. The 1AM had a beneficial effect on the digestibility of crude protein. Daily and whole fat-corrected milk (FCM 4 %) was significantly increased by 3 kg/day and 987 kg/entire lactation in 2AM when compared with 0AM, respectively. Blood total protein was significantly higher in the 1AM group (86.9 vs. 77.8 g/l) than the 0AM, while AM decreased urea concentration. Consequently, the inclusions of AM protein concentrate have a positive impact on increasing milk production and optimizing the rations in terms of the amount of non-digestible protein and the economic efficiency of milk production.

Distribution and Influencing Factors of the Sialic Acid Content in the Breast Milk of Preterm Mothers at Different Stages.

Background and Aims: This study aimed to detect breast milk sialic acid (SA) content and the changing pattern, to understand the various stages of breastfeeding SA secretion, and the influence factors of the human milk SA content. Methods: We recruited mothers and their infants as our subjects. At days 7, 14, 30, 120, and 365 after delivery, the contents of SA in breast milk were collected and detected through Fluorescence Detector-High Performance Liquid Chromatography. The participants completed the baseline questionnaire at ≤day 7 and were followed up at days 30, 120, and 365. Results: A total of 95 mothers with 122 infants were included in the analysis, including 22 mothers with 22 term infants, 25 mothers with 35 late preterm infants, 31 mothers with 39 very preterm infants, and 17 mothers with 26 extremely preterm infants. Similar to previous findings, the results of the study showed that, compared with breast milk of term mothers at the same period, breast milk of preterm mothers contained more SA at each time node, and the content of SA in breast milk increased with decreasing gestational weeks. Moreover, maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI, and delivery mode had significant effects on total SA in breast milk, especially for the preterm infant breast milk. Significant negative associations occurred between SA contents and infant growth status, especially in preterm infants. Conclusions: We have confirmed the previous observations showing that with the prolongation of lactation time, the content of SA in breast milk gradually decreased, and the content of SA in the breast milk of preterm mothers was higher than that of term mothers. In addition, SA content was associated with maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI, and delivery mode.

Metabolomics-based comparative study of breast colostrum and mature breast milk.

Breast milk is the safest and most complete natural food for babies. Although breast milk is crucial to the health and development of infants, the metabolites in breast milk during lactation period have not been characterized. Therefore, we examined and compared the metabolites in breast colostrum and mature breast milk using gas chromatography-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics. A total of 159 metabolites were characterized, of which 72 were differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs), including 17 upregulated and 55 downregulated DEMs in breast colostrum compared to those in mature breast milk. Metabolic pathway analysis revealed that these DEMs were related to glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism; glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism; alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; pentose and glucuronate interconversions; and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis. Our results improve the understanding of breast milk composition and provide a theoretical basis for optimizing infant formula to closely imitate the nutrients required for proper growth and development of babies.

The Lipid-Soluble Forms of Choline Enhance Ex Vivo Responses from the Gut-Associated Immune System in Young Female Rat Offspring.

BACKGROUND: In humans, the development of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) occurs in the first years of life and can be influenced by diet. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary choline on the development of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). METHODS: Three feeding trials were conducted in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Beginning 3 d before parturition (studies 1 and 3) or at day 10 of gestation (study 2), control dams consumed a 100% free choline (FC) diet until the end of the lactation period. In studies 1 and 3, test dams consumed a high-glycerophosphocholine (HGPC) diet [75% glycerophosphocholine (GPC), 12.5% phosphatidylcholine (PC), 12.5% FC] and a 100% PC diet, respectively (both 1 g of choline/kg diet). In study 2, test dams consumed a high-sphingomyelin (SM) and PC (SMPC) diet (34% SM, 37% PC, 17% GPC, 7% FC, 5% phosphocholine) or a 50% PC diet (50% PC, 25% FC, 25% GPC), both 1.7 g of choline/kg diet. Immune cell phenotypes and ex vivo cytokine production by mitogen-stimulated immune cells were measured. RESULTS: Feeding of the HGPC diet lowered T-cell IL-2 (44%), IFN-γ (34%), and TNF-α (55%) production in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) compared with control. Feeding both SMPC and 50% PC diets during the lactation and weaning periods increased IL-2 (54%) and TNF-α (46%) production after T-cell stimulation compared with control. There was a lower production of IL-2 (46%), IL-6 (66%), and TNF-α (45%), and a higher production of IL-10 (44%) in both SMPC and 50% PC groups following ovalbumin stimulation compared with control in MLNs. Feeding a diet containing 100% PC increased the production of IFN-γ by 52% after T-cell stimulation compared with control. CONCLUSION: Feeding a diet containing a mixture of choline forms with a high content of lipid-soluble forms during both the lactation and weaning periods enhances ex vivo immune responses from the GALT in female Sprague-Dawley offspring.

The Impact of Heat Stress on Immune Status of Dairy Cattle and Strategies to Ameliorate the Negative Effects.

Heat stress (HS) is well known to influence animal health and livestock productivity negatively. Heat stress is a multi-billion-dollar global problem. It impairs animal performance during summer when animals are exposed to high ambient temperatures, direct and indirect solar radiations, and humidity. While significant developments have been achieved over the last few decades to mitigate the negative impact of HS, such as physical modification of the environment to protect the animals from direct heat, HS remains a significant challenge for the dairy industry compromising dairy cattle health and welfare. In such a scenario, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of how the immune system of dairy cattle responds to HS and identify the variable responses among the animals. This understanding could help to identify heat-resilient dairy animals for breeding and may lead to the development of climate resilient breeds in the future to support sustainable dairy cattle production. There are sufficient data demonstrating the impact of increased temperature and humidity on endocrine responses to HS in dairy cattle, especially changes in concentration of hormones like prolactin and cortisol, which also provide an indication of the likely im-pact on the immune system. In this paper, we review the recent research on the impact of HS on immunity of calves during early life to adult lactating and dry cows. Additionally, different strategies for amelioration of negative effects of HS have been presented.

Effects of high-fat diet in pre-pregnancy and pregnancy-and-lactation periods on gut microbiota of offspring mice / 环境与职业医学

Background In recent years gut microbiota has been found to play an important role in the occurrence and development of various chronic diseases, and diet is an important factor influencing gut microbiota. However, the effects of maternal high-fat diet in pre-pregnancy and pregnancy-and-lactation periods on offspring gut microbiota are still unclear. Objective To investigate the effects of maternal high-fat diet in pre-pregnancy and pregnancy-and-lactation periods on gut microbiota of offspring mice. Methods C57BL/6J female mice were divided into four groups according to the diet patterns (high-fat diet, HFD; control diet, CD) given before and after conception, namely the pre-pregnancy control diet and post-pregnancy control diet group (CD-CD group), the pre-pregnancy control diet and post-pregnancy high-fat diet group (CD-HFD group), the pre-pregnancy high-fat diet and post-pregnancy control diet group (HFD-CD group), and the pre-pregnancy high-fact diet and post-pregnancy high-fat diet group (HFD-HFD group). Female mice were conceived in the same cage with male mice after 6 weeks of feeding, and the successfully conceived females continued to be randomly divided into two groups receiving either high-fat or control diet, and when the offspring mice were born, they were breastfed directly by the mothers, with each mother nursing only one offspring mouse. The number of offspring mice in each group was 6, with half males and half females. The body weight of offspring mice were recorded and body weight gain was compared between the four groups. After the lactational period, fresh feces of the offspring were collected, and the fecal DNA was extracted. Specific primers were designed according to the bacterial 16S rDNA(V3+V4) sequence and then the sequencing was performed using the Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform. Species annotation and operational taxonomic unit (OTU) analysis of sequencing data were conducted using QIMME, USEARCH and R software. In alpha diversity analysis, ACE and Chao1 indices were used to evaluate species richness, Shannon and Simpson indices considered both species richness and evenness. In beta diversity analysis, principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) and analysis of similarities (Anosim analyses) were used to find the differences in composition of gut microbiota between four groups, and line discriminant analysis effect size (LefSe) was conducted to identify which specific taxa contributed to the significant differences between groups. Results A greater effect of post-pregnancy diet on offspring body weight was observed, and the lowest body weight was recorded in the HFD-CD group during the whole experimental period. The results of OTU analysis showed that high-fat diet during post-pregnancy period reduced the number of OTUs in offspring mice, and the results of alpha diversity analysis showed that high-fat diet during post-pregnancy period reduced the richness of intestinal flora (ACE, P<0.05; Chao1, P<0.05), whereas differences in the α-diversity indices did not show statistical significance in the offspring mice with pre-pregnancy high-fat diet. The high-fat diet at different periods also led to changes in the dominant intestinal flora of the offspring. The high-fat diet during post-pregnancy period increased the abundance of Tenericutes (P<0.05), and decreased the abundance of Bacteroides, Epsilonbacteraeota, Cyanobacteria, and Deferribacteres (all Ps<0.05). At the genus level, high-fat diet during both pre-pregnancy and post-pregnancy periods decreased the abundance of Lactobacillus (P<0.05), and high-fat diet during pre-pregnancy period increased the abundance of Alistipes (P<0.05), while high-fat diet during post-pregnancy period increased the abundance of Lachnospira and Ruminococcus, and decreased the abundance of Muribaculaceae and Helicobacter (all Ps<0.05). The results of beta diversity analysis showed that the CD-CD group had a similar flora composition to the HFD-CD group, and the CD-HFD group had a similar flora composition to the HFD-HFD group, and the results of Anosim analysis showed statistically significant differences between groups (R=0.743, P<0.01). The LEfSe analysis counted all species with an effect on the differences between groups greater than the set value, which were Lactobacillus in the CD-CD group, Clostridiales in the CD-HFD group, Bacteroidetes and Helicobacters in the HFD-CD group, and Blautia, Ruminococcaceae, and Roseburia in the HFD-HFD group. Conclusion It is found that varied effects of high-fat diet in different periods on the flora of the offspring mice. The high-fat diet during pre-pregnancy and post-pregnancy periods could reduce the abundance of Lactobacillus, but show different effects on the abundance of other intestinal flora such as Muribaculaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Helicobacter differed. Diet during post-pregnancy period has a greater influence on modeling the offspring gut microbiota.

Mothers' breastfeeding attitudes when lactation overlaps with a new pregnancy.

Background and Aim: There is usually a strong cultural taboo when breastfeeding overlaps with pregnancy. A lot of mothers cease breastfeeding their infants when they conceive again due to social pressure, professional advice, or their own beliefs.The present research aimed to reveal the attitudes of mothers who conceived again while breastfeeding their infants and their experiences in this process. Methods: The data of the study, were collected between November 2018 and March 2019 in Sakarya University Education and Research Hospital, Sakarya. The study conducted in 40 women in whom lactation overlapped with pregnancy, and the face-to-face interview technique was employed for data collection. Data were collected using an information form containing information about the participants and a semi-structured interview form. The interviews conducted were then examined using the interpretative phenomenological analysis method, one of the qualitative research methods. The codes and themes were created using the NVIVO 9.0 program. In the report of this study, the Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist was utilized as a guide. Results: The mean age of the mothers is 26.70±4.58 (min: 20, max: 36), 62.5% (n=25) of the mothers were in the third trimester. While 5% of the mothers (n=2) continued breastfeeding during pregnancy, 95% (n=38) ceased breastfeeding at certain periods of pregnancy. It was observed that the mothers who conceived again during the lactation period considerably hesitated how to act about breastfeeding, they were significantly influenced by the people in their environment concerning how to overcome this, and they were often misguided. Conclusion: There is obviously an urgent need for evidence-based studies on the subject. Studies to be carried out in this regard will increase the self-confidence of healthcare professionals and will enable them to perform effective training and counseling on the subject.

Myo-Inositol Supplementation in Suckling Rats Protects against Adverse Programming Outcomes on Hypothalamic Structure Caused by Mild Gestational Calorie Restriction, Partially Comparable to Leptin Effects.

We studied whether myo-inositol supplementation throughout lactation, alone and combined with leptin, may reverse detrimental effects on hypothalamic structure and function caused by gestational calorie gestation (CR) in rats. Candidate early transcript-based biomarkers of metabolic health in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were also studied. Offspring of dams exposed to 25% gestational CR and supplemented during lactation with physiological doses of leptin (CR-L), myo-inositol (CR-M), the combination (CR-LM), or the vehicle (CR-V) as well as control rats (CON-V) were followed and sacrificed at postnatal day 25. Myo-inositol and the combination increased the number of neurons in arcuate nucleus (ARC) (only in females) and paraventricular nucleus, and myo-inositol (alone) restored the number of αMSH+ neurons in ARC. Hypothalamic mRNA levels of Lepr in CR-M and Insr in CR-M and CR-LM males were higher than in CR-V and CON-V, respectively. In PBMC, increased expression levels of Lrp11 and Gls in CR-V were partially normalized in all supplemented groups (but only in males for Gls). Therefore, myo-inositol supplementation throughout lactation, alone and combined with leptin, reverts programmed alterations by fetal undernutrition on hypothalamic structure and gene expression of potential early biomarkers of metabolic health in PBMC, which might be attributed, in part, to increased leptin sensitivity.