Human milk arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid contents increase following supplementation during pregnancy and lactation.
BACKGROUND
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) are important for neurodevelopment. Maternal diet influences milk DHA, whereas milk AA seems rather constant. We investigated milk AA, DHA and DHA/AA after supplementation of AA plus DHA, or DHA alone during pregnancy and lactation.


METHODS
Women were supplemented with AA+DHA (220mg each/day), DHA (220mg/day) or placebo during pregnancy and lactation. Milk samples were collected at 2 (n=86) and 12 weeks (n=69) postpartum.


RESULTS
Supplementation of AA+DHA elevated milk AA (week 2, 14%; week 12, 23%) and DHA (43% and 52%) as compared to placebo. DHA tended to decrease milk AA and vice versa. Milk AA, DHA and DHA/AA decreased from 2 to 12 weeks postpartum.


CONCLUSIONS
Milk AA and in particular DHA are sensitive to maternal supplementation. It seems that maternal AA and notably DHA status decline with advancing lactation.
van Goor
Saskia A
SA
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UMCG, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands. s.a.van.goor@lc.umcg.nl
Dijck-Brouwer
D A Janneke
DA
Hadders-Algra
Mijna
M
Doornbos
Bennard
B
Erwich
Jan Jaap H M
JJ
Schaafsma
Anne
A
Muskiet
Frits A J
FA
D000818:Animals; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis; D001942:Breast Feeding; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D010919:Placebos; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D010919:Placebos; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D016718:Arachidonic Acid