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© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Simple Summary

In addition to their function as energy sources, monosaccharides are used to build complex structured oligo- and polysaccharides, which play numerous essential roles as functional biomolecules. Such bioactive sugars are also key components of milk, since they have positive impacts on intestinal development, the gut microbiome, and an effective immune system, along with the learning and memory ability of offspring. Moreover, milk oligo- and polysaccharides have anti-adhesive properties against pathogenic microorganisms and viruses and are, therefore, important for the health of the mammary gland and the offspring. One key monosaccharide of such oligo- and polysaccharides is the sialic acid N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac). Since bovine milk is not only important for calf health but also, in the case of colostrum, as a functional food for humans, it is of particular interest, at which time of lactation the highest amounts of these bioactive molecules are found in bovine milk. Our results demonstrate that on the day of calving, the highest amounts of Neu5Ac and its polymers are present in bovine milk and, thus, the sialic acid-dependent benefits of bovine milk are also highest at this time.

Abstract

Sialylated milk oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates have several positive effects on the mucosal barrier, the gut microbiome, and an effective immune system. For this reason, they are important biomolecules for mammary gland health and optimal development of offspring. In milk, the major sialic acid, N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), can be attached as monosialyl-residues or as polymers. To investigate the sialylation processes during lactation of German Holstein cows, we analyzed udder tissue in addition to milk at different time points of lactation. The analysis of the milk samples revealed that both the levels of Neu5Ac and its polymer, polysialic acid (polySia), rapidly decreased during the first three days of lactation, and a high interindividual variance was observed. In mature milk, however, the sialylation status remains relatively constant. The results indicate that mammary gland epithelial cells are one source for milk polySia, since immunohistochemistry of udder tissue exhibited strong polySia staining in these cells. Furthermore, both polysialyltransferases, ST8SiaII and ST8SiaIV, are expressed. Based on known functions of monosialyl residues and polySia, we discuss the potential impact of these biomolecules and the consequences of the heterogeneous sialylation status of milk in relation to udder health and offspring health.

Details

Title
Milk Polysialic Acid Levels Rapidly Decrease in Line with the N-Acetylneuraminic Acid Concentrations during Early Lactation in Dairy Cows
Author
Hinterseher, Julia 1 ; Günther, Juliane 2 ; Zlatina, Kristina 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Isernhagen, Lisa 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Viergutz, Torsten 2 ; Wirthgen, Elisa 3   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Hoeflich, Andreas 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Vernunft, Andreas 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Galuska, Sebastian Peter 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Philipps University Marburg, Baldingerstraße 1, 35043 Marburg, Germany; Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany 
 Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany 
 Department of Pediatrics, Rostock University Medical Center, 18057 Rostock, Germany 
First page
5
Publication year
2023
Publication date
2023
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
20797737
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2767183311
Copyright
© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.