Breastmilk cell and fat contents respond similarly to removal of breastmilk by the infant.
Large inter- and intra-individual variations exist in breastmilk composition, yet factors associated with these variations in the short-term are not well understood. In this study, the effects of breastfeeding on breastmilk cellular and biochemical content were examined. Serial breastmilk samples (∼5 mL) were collected from both breasts of breastfeeding women before and immediately after the first morning breastfeed, and then at 30-minute intervals for up to 3 hours post-feed on 2-4 mornings per participant. The infant fed from one breast only at each feed. Effects of pump versus hand expression for samples were evaluated. A consistent response pattern of breastmilk cell and fat contents to breastmilk removal was observed. Maximum fat and cell levels were obtained 30 minutes post-feed (P<0.01), with up to 8-fold increase in fat and 12-fold increase in cell content compared to the pre-feed values, and then they gradually decreased. Breastmilk cell viability and protein concentration did not change with feeding (P>0.05), although large intra-individual variability was noted for protein. Expression mode for samples did not influence breastmilk composition (P>0.05). It is concluded that breastmilk fat content, and thus breast fullness, is closely associated with breastmilk cell content. This will now form the basis for standardization of sampling protocols in lactation studies and investigation of the mechanisms of milk synthesis and cell movement into breastmilk. Moreover, these findings generate new avenues for clinical interventions exploring growth and survival benefits conferred to preterm infants by providing the highest in fat and cells milk obtained at 30 min post-expression.
School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia ; School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Foteini
F
Hassiotou
Anna R
AR
Hepworth
Tracey M
TM
Williams
Alecia-Jane
AJ
Twigger
Sharon
S
Perrella
Ching Tat
CT
Lai
Luis
L
Filgueira
Donna T
DT
Geddes
Peter E
PE
Hartmann
D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D061186:Breast Milk Expression / Q000379:methods; D002470:Cell Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology*; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis*; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D013997:Time Factors
D008055:Lipids; D008894:Milk Proteins