Insulin, Testosterone, and Albumin in Term and Preterm Breast Milk, Donor Milk, and Infant Formula

Background: Infants have three options for feeding: their own mother's breast milk, donor milk, or infant formula. Insulin, testosterone, total protein, and albumin levels were measured in breast milk samples from the first 6 months of lactation, in donor milk samples, and in different infant formulas. Methods: Mothers who gave birth to term (n = 19) or preterm (n = 19) infants were recruited to collect breast milk samples during the first 6 months of lactation. The Breast Milk Collection Center (Unified Health Institution, Pecs, Hungary) provided 96 donor milk (DM) samples for analysis in our study. Insulin, testosterone, total protein, and albumin levels were measured in breast milk, donor milk, and infant formulas. Results: During the first 2 months of lactation, the concentration of insulin was lower (-27.4%) while the testosterone concentration was higher (+20.8%) compared to the period between the 3rd and 6th months only in the preterm breast milk samples. The infant formulas examined did not contain insulin or testosterone. Holder pasteurization (HoP) did not influence the level of testosterone in human milk, although HoP decreased the insulin (-53.6%) and albumin (-38.6%) concentrations. Conclusions: Diet impacts the hormone intake of infants, underlining the importance of breastfeeding and the possible supplementation of formula-fed infants.

Automated summary

The study examined the levels of insulin, testosterone, total protein, and albumin in breast milk, donor milk, and infant formulas. It found that in preterm breast milk, the concentration of insulin was lower and the concentration of testosterone was higher during the first 2 months compared to the period between the 3rd and 6th months. Infant formulas did not contain insulin or testosterone.