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CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Composition of the human milk microbiome in the GUSTO cohort is shaped by intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis and breastfeeding exclusivity
mSystems, e0067725
2025
PMID: 40938107
Abstract
Human milk contains a low biomass microbiome, which is thought to contribute to mammary and infant health. However, the determinants of the human milk microbiome across populations are poorly understood. Here, we characterized the microbiome of 266 milk samples collected from 208 mothers at 3 weeks and 3 months postpartum from the Growing Up in Singapore Toward healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) study, a multi-ethnic Asian cohort. Full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed a substantial level of inter-individual variation, as well as temporal variation, highlighting the need for broad-scale longitudinal sampling in this field. Milk microbiome composition and diversity were associated with maternal, socioeconomic, and breastfeeding factors. In particular, intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis and breastfeeding exclusivity modulated milk bacterial composition and diversity, even at 3 months postpartum. These results highlight the dynamic nature of the human milk microbiome and its relationship with clinical and breastfeeding factors, with potential implications for infant health.IMPORTANCEHuman milk exposes infants to a constant source of maternal bacteria that may influence the development of the infant immune system and gut microbiome. However, compared to other body niches, the human milk microbiome is relatively under-studied, and there is limited consensus on the factors driving variance in these bacterial communities. In this study, we performed in-depth microbiome profiling of milk samples from 208 mothers in a diverse Asian population, finding a high level of variation between individuals and over time. We found that factors such as delivery-related antibiotics, breastfeeding practices, and maternal lifestyle can influence which bacteria are present in milk. These findings suggest that the milk microbiome is not static, but dynamic and shaped by both medical and social factors. Understanding what drives variance in the milk microbiome could help inform strategies to support maternal and infant health, especially in the critical early months of life when microbial exposures can have long-term effects.
Details
- Title
- Composition of the human milk microbiome in the GUSTO cohort is shaped by intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis and breastfeeding exclusivity
- Authors/Creators
- Lisa F. Stinson - The University of Western AustraliaWei Wei Pang - National University of SingaporeAlethea Rea - Murdoch UniversityDoris Fok - National University HospitalMei Chien Chua - KK Women's and Children's HospitalKok Hian Tan - Duke-NUS Medical SchoolFabian Yap - Duke-NUS Medical SchoolKeith M. Godfrey - MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology UnitLynette P. Shek - National University Health SystemJohan G. Eriksson - University of HelsinkiYap-Seng Chong - Singapore Institute for Clinical SciencesShiao-Yng Chan - Singapore Institute for Clinical SciencesMary Wlodek - The University of Western AustraliaDonna T. Geddes - The University of Western Australia
- Contributors
- Marc D. Cook (Editor)
- Publication Details
- mSystems, e0067725
- Publisher
- American Society for Microbiology; WASHINGTON
- Number of pages
- 21
- Grant note
- NMRC/TCR/004-NUS/2008,NMRC/TCR/012-NUHS/2014 / National Research Foundation Singapore (http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001381) Medela AG (http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013407) NF-SI-0515-10042 / National Institute for Health and Care Research (http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000272) MC_UU_12011/4 / UK Medical Research Foundation Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001355) Allen Foundation (http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100008796) ARUK-PG2022A-008 / Alzheimer's Research UK (ARUK) NIHR203319 / National Institute for Health Research Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100022419)
- Identifiers
- 991005813047807891
- Copyright
- © 2025 Stinson et al.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Mathematics, Statistics, Chemistry and Physics; Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and Sustainability
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- 1.120 Inflammatory Bowel Diseases & Infections
- 1.120.384 Gut Microbiota
- Web Of Science research areas
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