Longitudinal Changes in the Concentration of Major Human Milk Proteins in the First Six Months of Lactation and Their Effects on Infant Growth

Abstract

Our knowledge related to human milk proteins is still limited. The present study determined the changes in multiple human milk proteins during the first six months of lactation, investigated the influencing factors of milk proteins, and explored the impact of milk proteins on infant growth. A total of 105 lactating women and their full-term infants from China were prospectively surveyed in this research. Milk samples were collected at 1-5 days, 8-14 days, 1 month, and 6 months postpartum. Concentrations of total protein and α-lactalbumin were measured in all milk samples, and concentrations of lactoferrin, osteopontin, total casein, β-casein, α_s-1 casein, and κ-casein were measured in milk from 51 individuals using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The concentration of measured proteins in the milk decreased during the first six months of postpartum (<i>p</i>-trend < 0.001). Maternal age, mode of delivery, maternal education, and income impacted the longitudinal changes in milk proteins (<i>p</i>-interaction < 0.05). Concentrations of α_s-1 casein in milk were inversely associated with the weight-for-age Z-scores of the infants (1 m: r -0.29, <i>p</i> 0.038; 6 m: r -0.33, <i>p</i> 0.020). In conclusion, the concentration of proteins in milk decreased over the first six months postpartum, potentially influenced by maternal demographic and delivery factors. Milk protein composition may influence infant weights.