Using a porcine model, we hypothesized that ALAC supplementation improves neonatal development. Preterm pigs delivered by cesarean section were fed diluted bovine milk (REF) or REF milk supplemented with normal (STANDARD-ALPHA) or high (HIGH-ALPHA) ALAC. Clinical, intestinal, immune, and cognitive outcomes were assessed and tissues collected at day 19. Growth of STANDARD ALPHA or HIGH ALPHA were superior to REF. HIGH ALPHA had higher bone mineral content, colonic microbial diversity, and abundance of specific bacteria and microbial metabolites and showed faster dietary transit time. Compared to REF, those fed ALPHA had higher relative organ weights, blood amino acids, blood neutrophil function, and microbial metabolites. ALAC supplementation ultimately improved some growth, intestinal, and immune parameters in preterm pigs. However, increasing ALAC content above human milk levels had limited effects on immature gut and brain development.
Year: 2020
Nationality: Denmark
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