Bovine Milk Microbiota: Key Players, Origins, and Potential Contributions to Early-life Gut Development

Overview

Journal J Adv Res

Specialties General Medicine
Science

Date 2023 Jul 9

PMID 37423549

Authors

Wenli Guo

Shuai Liu

Muhammad Z Khan

Jingjun Wang

Tianyu Chen

Gibson M Alugongo

Shengli Li

Zhijun Cao

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Bovine milk is a significant substitute for human breast milk and holds great importance in infant nutrition and health. Apart from essential nutrients, bovine milk also contains bioactive compounds, including a microbiota derived from milk itself rather than external sources of contamination.

Aim Of Review: Recognizing the profound impact of bovine milk microorganisms on future generations, our review focuses on exploring their composition, origins, functions, and applications.

Key Scientific Concepts Of Review: Some of the primary microorganisms found in bovine milk are also present in human milk. These microorganisms are likely transferred to the mammary gland through two pathways: the entero-mammary pathway and the rumen-mammary pathway. We also elucidated potential mechanisms by which milk microbiota contribute to infant intestinal development. The mechanisms include the enhancing of the intestinal microecological niche, promoting the maturation of immune system, strengthening the intestinal epithelial barrier function, and interacting with milk components (e.g., oligosaccharides) via cross-feeding effect. However, given the limited understanding of bovine milk microbiota, further studies are necessary to validate hypotheses regarding their origins and to explore their functions and potential applications in early intestinal development.

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