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Seal milk oligosaccharides rival human milk complexity and exhibit functional dynamics during lactation

Author

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  • Chunsheng Jin

    (University of Gothenburg, Proteomics Core Facility at Sahlgrenska Academy)

  • Jon Lundstrøm

    (University of Gothenburg, Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology
    University of Gothenburg, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine)

  • Carmen R. Cori

    (University of Basel, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences)

  • Shih-Yun Guu

    (Academia Sinica, Institute of Biological Chemistry)

  • Alexander R. Bennett

    (University of Gothenburg, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Institute of Biomedicine)

  • Mirjam Dannborg

    (Chalmers University of Technology, Division of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Department of Life Sciences, SciLifeLab
    University of Gothenburg, Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy
    Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe))

  • Patrick P. Pomeroy

    (University of St Andrews, Sea Mammal Research Unit, School of Biology)

  • Malcolm W. Kennedy

    (University of Glasgow, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, Graham Kerr Building, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences)

  • Johan Bengtsson-Palme

    (Chalmers University of Technology, Division of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Department of Life Sciences, SciLifeLab
    University of Gothenburg, Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy
    Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe))

  • Rachel Hevey

    (University of Basel, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences)

  • Kay-Hooi Khoo

    (Academia Sinica, Institute of Biological Chemistry)

  • Daniel Bojar

    (University of Gothenburg, Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology
    University of Gothenburg, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine)

Abstract

Milk oligosaccharides are crucial for neonatal development and health in mammals. Yet most milk research focuses on humans, or on domesticated mammals that are poor in milk oligosaccharide complexity. Here, we perform an exhaustive mass spectrometry-driven structural characterization of milk oligosaccharides in a wild mammal, female Atlantic grey seals (Halichoerus grypus), throughout their lactation period. Characterizing and quantifying 332 milk oligosaccharides, including 166 unreported structures, we reveal seals to rival human milk in complexity. We report seal free oligosaccharides to reach up to 28 monosaccharides in size. Paired glycomics and metabolomics time course analysis establishes a concerted regulatory process reshaping the seal milk glycome throughout lactation, similar to human milk. Functional analysis of the structures we here characterized reveals anti-biofilm effects and immunomodulatory functions of seal milk oligosaccharides. Our findings challenge long-held assumptions about milk complexity of non-human mammals and enable insights into the functional relevance of complex carbohydrates in milk.

Suggested Citation

  • Chunsheng Jin & Jon Lundstrøm & Carmen R. Cori & Shih-Yun Guu & Alexander R. Bennett & Mirjam Dannborg & Patrick P. Pomeroy & Malcolm W. Kennedy & Johan Bengtsson-Palme & Rachel Hevey & Kay-Hooi Khoo , 2025. "Seal milk oligosaccharides rival human milk complexity and exhibit functional dynamics during lactation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-66075-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-66075-2
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