The purpose of this study is to unveil the mechanistic benefits of a bout of postpartum maternal exercise on infant health that are provided by breastmilk.
The nutrients and antibodies in breastmilk promote infant growth, development, and immunity. Breastfed infants exhibit lower risk of adult-onset obesity and type 2 diabetes compared to formula-fed infants, and the composition of breastmilk is influenced by maternal factors such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, profoundly impacting its health benefits. While postpartum maternal exercise enhances infant health, its effects on breastmilk composition remain unknown, hindering our understanding of how postpartum exercise benefits breastfed infants.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
60
Pre-pregnancy BMI between 18.5-24.99
Pre-pregnancy BMI between 25-39.99
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota, United States
RECRUITINGBreastmilk Exosome Concentration
The molecules in small extracellular vesicles (exosomes) can transmit information between cells throughout the body. A bout of exercise induces a robust release of exosomes in the plasma with unique molecular cargo. Exosomes are also present in breastmilk, and there is evidence that breastmilk exosomes can evade degradation in the infant gut and can thus transmit molecular information from mother to infant. Though maternal exercise is viewed as beneficial for the breastfeeding infant, the molecular mechanisms of how this occurs remain unknown. The primary objective of this trial will be to determine if a bout of maternal exercise increases the release exosomes in breastmilk. The investigators will measure breastmilk exosome concentration using nano particle tracking.
Time frame: 1 month
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