Effects of feeding intervention on immune development in a neonatal piglet model: Comparing human milk vs infant formula
Presentation Time: 03:15 PM - 04:30 PM
Poster Board Number: B198
Abstract ID: 4525
Presenting Author:
Reagan A Badger , medical student at Univ. of Washington Sch. of Med., Univ. of Idaho
Abstract:
This pilot study investigates the effects of human milk (HM) vs infant formula (IF) on the development and maturation of gastrointestinal-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) in a neonatal piglet model. Two-day old male piglets were assigned to feeding groups: HM-fed (n=6), IF-fed (n=6), and control (n=2). IF-fed piglets received commercially available infant formula, while control piglets were reared on sow’s milk. Piglets were reared for 28 days; intestinal and splenic tissues were then harvested and preserved at necropsy. H&E-stained ileal sections were evaluated for Peyer’s patch development. Lymphocyte infiltration into intestines and spleens was assessed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Additionally, inflammatory cytokine profiles were quantified by protein-based techniques. Compared to IF-fed and control piglets, HM-fed piglets had more robust lymphocyte populations in both intestines and spleens, including proper T cell infiltration and higher levels of activated B cells. HM-fed piglets also had more extensive Peyer’s patches within ileal sections. However, HM did not strongly influence inflammatory cytokine milieu of intestines or spleens compared to other feeding interventions. These data suggest that HM helps stimulate the infant immune system and support the development of GALT. Our findings will help elucidate the specific mechanisms by which HM exerts its protective effects and may inform future studies of feeding intervention in human infants.
Effects of feeding intervention on immune development in a neonatal piglet model: Comparing human milk vs infant formula
Category
Poster and Podium (Block Symposium)