microbiome in breast milk

Introduction

Breast milk is not only a source of essential nutrients for infants but also contains a diverse microbiome that plays a crucial role in the development of the infant gut microbiota and immune system. Understanding the composition and factors influencing the breast milk microbiome can provide insights into its impact on infant health.

Key Insights

Diverse Microbiota Composition:
- Breast milk contains a diverse range of bacteria, including Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, Pseudomonas, Bifidobacterium, Corynebacterium, Enterococcus, Acinetobacter, Rothia, Cutibacterium, Veillonella, and Bacteroides .
Influence of Maternal and Environmental Factors:
- The composition of the breast milk microbiota is influenced by factors such as gestational age, delivery mode, biological sex, parity, intrapartum antibiotics, lactation stage, diet, BMI, HIV infection, geographic location, and collection/feeding method .
Geographical Variability:
- The microbiota profile of breast milk varies significantly by geographical location, with different dominant bacterial genera observed in different regions .
Impact of Probiotics:
- Maternal supplementation with probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5, and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis Bb-12) does not significantly alter the overall composition of the breast milk microbiota.
Vertical Transfer to Infant Gut:
- Bacteria from breast milk and areolar skin contribute significantly to the infant gut microbiome, with breast milk seeding approximately 27.7% of the bacteria in the infant gut during the first 30 days of life .
Role in Immune System Development:
- The microbiota in breast milk plays a pivotal role in modulating the infant's immune system, promoting a balanced Th1/Th2 response, and protecting against inflammatory diseases .
Presence of Bifidobacteria:
- Breast milk contains bifidobacteria, including Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium animalis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Bifidobacterium catenulatum, which are important for healthy microbiota development in infants .

Conclusion

Breast milk harbors a diverse and dynamic microbiome that is influenced by various maternal and environmental factors. This microbiome plays a crucial role in seeding the infant gut microbiota and modulating the infant's immune system. Understanding these interactions can help in developing strategies to enhance infant health through targeted interventions, such as probiotic supplementation and dietary modifications.

Microbiome in breast milk

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Breast milk microbiota: A complex microbiome with multiple impacts and conditioning factors.

Breast milk contains a diverse range of microbes, with factors like gestational age, delivery method, and diet influencing its composition, offering potential for future interventions to improve infant health.

Breastfeeding-associated microbiota in human milk following supplementation with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5, and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis Bb-12.

Breastfeeding is unlikely to be a significant source of probiotics for infants, and maternal supplementation does not significantly affect the overall composition of the breast milk microbiota transferred during breastfeeding.

Association Between Breast Milk Bacterial Communities and Establishment and Development of the Infant Gut Microbiome

Breastfeeding significantly contributes to the establishment and development of the infant gut microbiome, with bacterial diversity and composition changes influenced by daily breast milk intake.

Mother’s Milk: A Purposeful Contribution to the Development of the Infant Microbiota and Immunity

Breast milk contains diverse microbiota, bioactive HMOs, and EVs that guide the infant's developing mucosal immune system and protect against respiratory and diarrheal illnesses.

Geographical location specific composition of cultured microbiota and Lactobacillus occurrence in human breast milk in China.

Lactobacillus is the predominant genus in human breast milk in China, with differences between the North and South and influenced by factors such as maternal weight and delivery method.

Microbiota in Breast Milk of Chinese Lactating Mothers

Chinese lactating mothers' breast milk is dominated by streptococci and staphylococci, with Acinetobacter sp. as a rare exception, and no significant impact of stage of lactation or delivery mode.

Microbiota of Human Breast Tissue

A diverse population of bacteria is present in human breast tissue, but the role of these organisms in health or disease remains unclear.

Role of the Human Breast Milk-Associated Microbiota on the Newborns’ Immune System: A Mini Review

Human breast milk-associated microbiota plays a crucial role in modulating newborns' immune systems, influencing their development and reducing the risk of inflammatory diseases.

Breast Milk: A Source of Bifidobacteria for Infant Gut Development and Maturation?

Breast milk contains bifidobacteria and specific Bifidobacterium species, which may promote healthy gut development and immune system maturation in infants.

Breast Milk and Gut Microbiota in African Mothers and Infants from an Area of High HIV Prevalence

HIV-infected women have a different microbiological composition in breast milk, suggesting specific immunopathological phenomena and potential impact on infant protection against infections.

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