MILK v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Measuring imprinted proteins expressed in human breast milk
IRAS ID
286652
Contact name
Anne C Ferguson-Smith
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Breastfeeding has many benefits in the short and long term. Breastfed babies have fewer infections and have a lower risk of cot death. We know that people who were breastfed as babies have a lower risk of obesity, heart disease, asthma and diabetes and perform better on intelligence and behaviour tests than those who were fed formula. However, we do not fully understand how breastfeeding brings about these benefits. It is likely that some of the benefits are due to substances present in breastmilk that are absent from formula milk.
We have discovered that several imprinted proteins are present in human breast milk. This is interesting, because we know that these proteins play an important role in babies’ growth, metabolism, behaviour and brain development. Some of these proteins are known to act as hormones, chemical messengers. It is possible that these proteins in breast milk may be absorbed by the baby. However, we have only tested three samples of breast milk so far. In this pilot study we propose to test many more samples of breast milk to identify which imprinted proteins are present, and what affects their abundance.
Breastmilk banks provide breastmilk for babies who need it but whose mothers are unable to produce enough. However, during the processing of breast milk samples, some milk is often discarded. Donors to The Milk Bank at Chester and the Rosie Hospital Milkbank have consented for this milk to be used for research projects. We propose to test milk that would otherwise be discarded donors over 2 years to characterise what imprinted proteins are present. We will use this information to design further studies in order to better understand the role of imprinted proteins in human breastmilk, and whether this may underlie some of the benefits that breastmilk has.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/YH/0303
Date of REC Opinion
2 Dec 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion