Human milk arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid contents increase following supplementation during pregnancy and lactation

Introduction: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) are important for neurodevelopment. Maternal diet influences milk DHA, whereas milk AA seems rather constant. We investigated milk AA, DHA and DHA/AA after supplementation of AA plus DHA, or DHA alone during pregnancy and lactation. Subjects and methods: Women were supplemented with AA+DHA (220 mg each/day), DHA (220 mg/day) or placebo during pregnancy and lactation. Milk samples were collected at 2 (n = 86) and 12 weeks (n = 69) postpartum. Results: Supplementation of AA+DHA elevated milk AA (week 2,14%; week 12, 23%) and DHA (43% and 52%) as compared to placebo. DHA tended to decrease milk AA and vice versa. Milk AA, DHA and DHA/AA decreased from 2 to 12 weeks postpartum. Conclusions: Milk AA and in particular DHA are sensitive to maternal supplementation. It seems that maternal AA and notably DHA status decline with advancing lactation. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.