Elucidating gut microbiota and metabolite patterns shaped by goat milk-based infant formula feeding in mice colonized by healthy infant feces

The gut microbiota plays an evolutionarily conserved role in host metabolism, which is influenced by diet. Here, we investigated differences in shaping the gut microbiota and regulating metabolism in cow milk-based infant formula, goat milk-based infant formula, and mix milk-based infant formula compared with pasteurized human milk. 16S rRNA results showed that goat milk-based infant formula selectively increased the relative abundance of Blautia, Roseburia, Alistites and Muribaculum in the gut compared to other infant formulas. Metabolomics identification indicated that goat milk-based infant formula mainly emphasized bile acid biosynthesis, arach-idonic acid metabolism and steroid biosynthesis metabolic pathways. Metabolites associated with these meta-bolic pathways were positively associated with increased microorganisms in goat milk-based infant formula, particularly Alistipes. Furthermore, we found a deficiency of Akkermansia abundance in three infant formula-fed compared to pasteurizedhuman milk-fed. This study presents new insights into the improvement and application of goat milk-based infant formulas in terms of intestinal microecology.

Automated summary

The study examined the differences in gut microbiota and metabolism regulation between cow milk-based, goat milk-based, mix milk-based infant formulas and pasteurized human milk. The results showed that goat milk-based formula selectively increased the abundance of specific bacteria in the gut. Metabolomics analysis revealed emphasis on certain metabolic pathways in goat milk-based formula. There was also a deficiency of certain bacteria in all formula-fed infants compared to those fed with pasteurized human milk. This study provides insights into the improvement and application of goat milk-based infant formulas in terms of intestinal microecology.