Comparison of Colony-Forming Efficiency Between Breast Milk of Mothers with Preterm Delivery and Full-Term Delivery

Background and Aim: The beneficial effect of breastfeeding for the healthof mothers and infants are well recognized. The human breast milk isthe unique complex fluid which consists of the heterogeneous cellularpopulations and biological macromolecules satisfying nutritional needswith immunological properties. Breast milk is the novel source of stemcells forming during pregnancy and lactation. It has been suggested thatbreast milk stem cells (BMSCs) have the key role in organ developmentand health of infants with short and long-term effects. In the presentstudy, the colony-forming efficiency (CFE) of breast milk-derivedstem/progenitor cells in breast milk of mothers with preterm delivery(gestational age less than 37 weeks) will be assessed with mothers withfull-term delivery (gestational age more than 37 weeks).Methods: Breast milk samples were obtained from neonatal intensivecare and maternity ward, Imam Reza Hospital (Mashhad, Iran). About10 mL of fresh breast milk was mixed with an equal amount of balancedsalt solution (BSS) and centrifuged at 1380 rpm for 20 min at 25°C in aclean room. Then, the sediment cell pellet was washed with BSS (×3)and cultured in the 12-well plate. The viability of cells was determinedusing trypan blue staining protocol, then cells were cultured at aseeding density of 4×104 cells/well and incubated at 37°C, 5% CO2,80% humidity for 14 days. The colonies were counted using an invertedmicroscope in order to determine the efficiency of colony forming.Results: Our results showed that the infants with the weight of 3000-4000g have the significant correlation with the CFE day 5 (P=0.03, 130±62)and CFE day 15 (P=0.021, 105±26).Conclusion: The results demonstrated increased numbers of stem cellscolony in preterm infant mothers’ breast milk. Thus, it is the source ofcells than mature milk.

Keywords:

Breast milk , Stem cells , Preterm delivery , full-term delivery