Journal article
Social networks, cooperative breeding, and the human milk microbiome
American journal of human biology, Vol.30(4), pp.e23131-n/a
07/2018
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/109942
PMID: 29700885
Abstract
We present the first available data on the human milk microbiome (HMM) from small-scale societies (hunter-gatherers and horticulturalists in the Central African Republic [CAR]) and explore relationships among subsistence type and seasonality on HMM diversity and composition. Additionally, as humans are cooperative breeders and, throughout our evolutionary history and today, we rear offspring within social networks, we examine associations between the social environment and the HMM. Childrearing and breastfeeding exist in a biosocial nexus, which we hypothesize influences the HMM.
Milk samples from hunter-gatherer and horticultural mothers (n = 41) collected over two seasons, were analyzed for their microbial composition. A subsample of these women's infants (n = 33) also participated in detailed naturalistic behavioral observations which identified the breadth of infants' social and caregiving networks and the frequency of contact they had with caregivers.
Analyses of milk produced by CAR women indicated that HMM diversity and community composition were related to the size of the mother-infant dyad's social network and frequency of care that infants receive. The abundance of some microbial taxa also varied significantly across populations and seasons. Alpha diversity, however, was not related to subsistence type or seasonality.
While the origins of the HMM are not fully understood, our results provide evidence regarding possible feedback loops among the infant, the mother, and the mother's social network that might influence HMM composition.
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Details
- Title
- Social networks, cooperative breeding, and the human milk microbiome
- Creators
- Courtney L Meehan - Department of Anthropology, Washington State University, Pullman, WashingtonKimberly A Lackey - School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WashingtonEdward H Hagen - Department of Anthropology, Washington State University, Pullman, WashingtonJanet E Williams - Department of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Idaho, IdahoJennifer Roulette - Department of Anthropology, Washington State University, Pullman, WashingtonCourtney Helfrecht - Department of Anthropology, Washington State University, Pullman, WashingtonMark A McGuire - Department of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Idaho, IdahoMichelle K McGuire - Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
- Publication Details
- American journal of human biology, Vol.30(4), pp.e23131-n/a
- Academic Unit
- Arts and Sciences, College of; Anthropology, Department of; Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health
- Publisher
- United States
- Identifiers
- 99900547123601842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article