Associations of Breast Milk Microbiota, Immune Factors, and Fatty Acids in the Rat Mother–Offspring Pair

Abstract

The present study aimed to analyze the rat breast milk profile of fatty acids (FA), immunoglobulins (Ig), microbiota, and their relationship, and to further assess their associations in the mother–offspring pair. Dams were monitored during the three weeks of gestation, allowed to deliver at term, and followed during two weeks of lactation. At the end of the study, milk was obtained from the dams for the analysis of fatty acids, microbiota composition, immunoglobulins, and cytokines. Moreover, the cecal content and plasma were obtained from both the dams and pups to study the cecal microbiota composition and the plasmatic levels of fatty acids, immunoglobulins, and cytokines. Rat breast milk lipid composition was ~65% saturated FA, ~15% monounsaturated FA, and ~20% polyunsaturated FA. Moreover, the proportions of IgM, IgG, and IgA were ~2%, ~88%, and ~10%, respectively. Breast milk was dominated by members of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes phyla. In addition, forty genera were shared between the milk and cecal content of dams and pups. The correlations performed between variables showed, for example, that all IgGs subtypes correlated between the three compartments, evidencing their association in the mother-milk-pup line. We established the profile of FA, Ig, and the microbiota composition of rat breast milk. Several correlations in these variables evidenced their association through the mother-milk-pup line. Therefore, it would be interesting to perform dietary interventions during pregnancy and/or lactation that influence the quality of breast milk and have an impact on the offspring.