Systematic Characterization and Longitudinal Study Reveal Distinguishing Features of Human Milk Oligosaccharides in China

BACKGROUND: Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in breast milk contribute to the development of the neonatal microbiota and immune system. However, longitudinal studies examining HMO profiles of Chinese mothers remain scarce. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to analyze HMO profiles, including their composition, concentrations, and changes during lactation, in milk of Chinese mothers. METHODS: A total of 822 milk samples from 222 mothers were collected, of which 163 mothers provided single samples. Samples from the remaining 59 mothers were collected on day 3, day 7, and thereafter every 7 or 14 d until day 168. 24 HMOs were studied using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography. Secretor and nonsecretor status were determined based on Lewis blood types and a defined 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) threshold. RESULTS: Of the 222 mothers, 77% were secretors and 23% were nonsecretors. The longitudinal study involving 59 mothers showed that the total HMOs in secretors were significantly greater than those in nonsecretors during the first 2 wk. Acidic HMOs decreased significantly during lactation and were similar between secretors and nonsecretors. Among neutral HMOs, distinctive differences were observed. Nonfucosylated and α-1-3/4-fucosylated HMOs in nonsecretors were significantly higher than those in secretors during the first month. In contrast, α-1-2-fucosylated HMOs in secretors were significantly higher than those in nonsecretors throughout 168 d. In secretors, 2′-FL concentrations peaked at (mean ± SEM) 3.02 ± 0.14 g/L (day 3) followed by significant decreases. In nonsecretors, 2′-FL concentrations were fairly low throughout 168 d. Of the 24 studied HMOs, only 3-fucosyllactose concentrations increased during lactation in both secretor and nonsecretor mothers. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed dynamic changes of 24 HMOs in secretors and nonsecretors during lactation and revealed unique features of these HMO profiles in the milk of Chinese mothers. Interestingly, 2′-FL concentrations in secretors were found to be lower than those of Western populations but higher than those of African populations.