1.An exploratory study on the influence of maternal age on human milk polyamines during lactation
Tengku Norbaya Tengku Azhar ; Nursyuhada Abdul Aziz ; Nhawal Aminie Saidon ; Puteri Shafinaz Abdul-Rahman
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition 2026;32(No. 2):262-273
Introduction: Polyamines are essential bioactive compounds involved in cell proliferation,
differentiation, and immune maturation during early life. Human milk serves as a dynamic
source of polyamines, with their concentration influenced by maternal physiological
and demographic factors. This study aimed to examine the effect of maternal age on
concentrations of three major polyamines – putrescine, spermidine, and spermine –
in human milk collected from breastfeeding mothers across a lactation period of 0–24
months. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using 30 human milk samples
collected from three categorised lactation stages: 0-3 months, 4-6 months, and 7-24
months. Participants were categorised into two maternal age groups: 21–29 years and
30–39 years. Polyamine concentrations were quantified using validated high-performance
liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) following derivatisation
with dansyl chloride. Results: Putrescine concentrations were significantly higher in milk
samples from older mothers (30–39 years) compared with younger mothers (21–29 years)
(p<0.05). In contrast, spermidine and spermine concentrations did not differ significantly
between maternal age groups. Conclusion: Maternal age appeared to selectively influence
putrescine levels in human milk, whereas spermidine and spermine concentrations
remained relatively stable across age groups. No significant correlations were observed in
this small cohort, and findings were independent of maternal dietary intake and lactation
stage. Future studies with larger, longitudinal cohorts that include crucial confounding
factors are needed to clarify these associations and their clinical relevance.


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