title: Human milk oligosaccharides in premature infants: absorption, excretion, and influence on the intestinal microbiota.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) shape the intestinal microbiota in term infants. In premature infants, alterations in the intestinal microbiota (dysbiosis) are associated with risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and sepsis, and the influence of HMOs on the microbiota is unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  Milk, urine, and stool specimens from 14 mother-premature infant dyads were investigated by mass spectrometry for HMO composition. The stools were analyzed by next-generation sequencing to complement a previous analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Percentages of fucosylated and sialylated HMOs were highly variable between individuals but similar in urine, feces, and milk within dyads. Differences in urine and fecal HMO composition suggest variability in absorption. Secretor status of the mother correlated with the urine and fecal content of specific HMO structures. Trends toward higher levels of Proteobacteria and lower levels of Firmicutes were noted in premature infants of nonsecretor mothers. Specific HMO structures in the milk, urine, and feces were associated with alterations in fecal Proteobacteria and Firmicutes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HMOs may influence the intestinal microbiota in premature infants. Specific HMOs, for example those associated with secretor mothers, may have a protective effect by decreasing pathogens associated with sepsis and NEC, while other HMOs may increase dysbiosis in this population.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California.
authors: Mark A
authors: MA
authors: Underwood
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of California Davis, Davis, California.
authors: Stephanie
authors: S
authors: Gaerlan
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of California Davis, Davis, California.
authors: Maria Lorna A
authors: ML
authors: De Leoz
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of California Davis, Davis, California.
authors: Lauren
authors: L
authors: Dimapasoc
authors: Department of Viticulture and Enology, University of California Davis, Davis, California.
authors: Karen M
authors: KM
authors: Kalanetra
authors: Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, California.
authors: Danielle G
authors: DG
authors: Lemay
authors: Department of Food Science and Technology, University of California Davis, Davis, California.
authors: J Bruce
authors: JB
authors: German
authors: Department of Viticulture and Enology, University of California Davis, Davis, California.|Department of Food Science and Technology, University of California Davis, Davis, California.
authors: David A
authors: DA
authors: Mills
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of California Davis, Davis, California.
authors: Carlito B
authors: CB
authors: Lebrilla
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D064806:Dysbiosis; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Q000235:genetics; D005865:Gestational Age; D059014:High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000378:metabolism*; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D056692:Prebiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D056692:Prebiotics