EFFECTS OF LACTATION STAGE AND MATERNAL STATUS ON FATTY ACID ESTERS OF HYDROXY FATTY ACIDS IN BREAST MILK

DONG Ping; ZHANG Ying; YAN Dong-yong; XU Xiu; LI Ai-hong; JIN Long-mei

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Acta Nutrimenta Sinica ›› 2026, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (3) : 246-253.

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

EFFECTS OF LACTATION STAGE AND MATERNAL STATUS ON FATTY ACID ESTERS OF HYDROXY FATTY ACIDS IN BREAST MILK

DONG Ping¹, ZHANG Ying¹, YAN Dong-yong¹, XU Xiu¹, LI Ai-hong², JIN Long-mei³

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Abstract

Objective To analyze fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs) concentrations in breast milk across lactation stages and their influencing factors. Methods A total of 65 singleton pregnant women with gestational age ≥37 weeks who intended to exclusively breastfeed were enrolled in this study. Breast milk samples were collected at 3 days (V1), 42 days (V2), and 3 months (V3) postpartum. Participants were categorized into normal-weight and overweight/obese groups according to their pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). The concentrations of individual FAHFA isomers were quantified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Dietary intake was assessed using the 24-hour dietary recall method and information on dietary supplement use was collected. Multiple linear regression models were applied to analyze the effects of maternal diet, lactation stage, parity and other factors on breast milk FAHFAs levels. Results Compared with the normal-weight lactating women, overweight/obese women had significantly higher concentrations of 5-PAHSA in colostrum (V1) and 9-SAHSA in mature milk (V2) (adjusted P = 0.013 and 0.044, respectively), but significantly lower concentrations of 13-LAHLA in mature milk (V2 and V3) (adjusted P = 0.028 and 0.005, respectively). Multiple linear regression revealed that maternal fish and shrimp intake was an independent positive influencing factor for breast milk 13-LAHLA concentration, while pre-pregnancy BMI served as its independent negative influencing factor. DHA intake and lactation duration exerted positive independent effects on 9-oleoylstearic acid ester of 9-hydroxy stearic acid (9-OAHSA) concentration and parity had a negative independent effect on 9-palmitoleoylstearic acid ester of 9-hydroxy stearic acid (9-POHSA) levels, while lactation stage was an independent positive predictor of 10-oleoylstearic acid ester of 10-hydroxy stearic acid (10-OAHSA) concentration. Conclusion Maternal fish and shrimp intake, DHA intake, pre-pregnancy BMI, lactation stage and parity can affect breast milk FAHFA concentrations to a certain extent and act as potential influencing factors for breast milk FAHFA levels.

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breast milk / fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids / influencing factors

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DONG Ping, ZHANG Ying, YAN Dong-yong, XU Xiu, LI Ai-hong, JIN Long-mei. EFFECTS OF LACTATION STAGE AND MATERNAL STATUS ON FATTY ACID ESTERS OF HYDROXY FATTY ACIDS IN BREAST MILK[J]. Acta Nutrimenta Sinica. 2026, 48(3): 246-253

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