The Human Milk Microbiome

Presented by Dr. Maria Carmen Collado on Tues, July 7, 2020.
Current evidence highlights the key role of early microbial colonization in promoting later health. Perturbations in this colonization process caused by factors such as C-section delivery, antibiotics, prematurity, etc., have been associated to a higher risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) later in life as well as obesity and allergic disease. Human microbial colonization starts at birth when the neonate is exposed to maternal microbiota and continues during lactation. Beyond nutritional aspects, human milk contains bioactive compounds as microorganisms, oligosaccharides and other substances which are involved in host-microbe interactions. Different studies shown that human milk composition is shaped by genetic factors, mode of delivery, maternal nutrition, and also, would differ within feeds, day time, lactation stage and also, between mothers and populations. This lecture is aimed to provide a global overview on milk microbiota composition and activity, factors shaping its composition and their potential biological relevance.