Dissertation

Investigating the Effects of Moringa Oleifera on Milk Quantity and Cytokine Expression in a Mouse Model

Pittman, Taylor Blair

2022

Overview

Milk is a vital resource for neonates. It contains many nutritive and bioactive factors that change to match the needs of the neonate as it grows. One of the bioactive components described in milk is cytokines. Cytokines are proteins that mediate communication between cells and provide instructions that drive functions such as cell activation, differentiation, proliferation, chemotaxis, and apoptosis. Milk cytokines prepare the mammary glands for lactation, help the development of the neonatal gut, help with neonatal immunity, and involution of the mammary glands as the lactation cycle ends. During parturition and lactation, oxidant stress and inflammation can increase in the mother and be transferred to the neonate through the milk and have negative consequences on health and growth. Galactagogues are supplements that when taken by gestating and lactating mammals, can help increase milk production. Many galactagogues are antioxidants and therefore, we speculated that not only would the quantity of the milk increase but there would also be changes in the expression of milk cytokines, particularly pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the milk. The aim of this study was to investigate whether and how the consumption of teas made from either a mixture of purported galactagogues (Fenugreek, Ginger Root, Milk Thistle, Shatavari, Fennel, Blessed Thistle, and Lemon Verbena) or tea made from leaves from Moringa oleifera, a medicinal plant with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and galactagogue properties impacts milk quantity and quality specifically focusing on the expression of milk cytokines. For this study ICR mice (n=18), were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=6) in each group. The first group was given water (control), the second group Moringa tea and the third group lactation boost tea starting at day 14 of gestation and the entire lactation period (21 days). There were no significant differences in the feed intake, liquid intake, or weight gain of the dams. Furthermore, there were no differences in litter weights over time between the groups. This is consistent with no differences between the estimation of milk quantity through by weigh-suckle weigh. Changes in cytokines expression in milk collected on Days 10 and 14 of lactation were observed using a mouse cytokine array. On Day 10, there were > 1.5-fold increases in cytokines IL-5 (anti-inflammatory) and IL-7 (pro-inflammatory) in both Moringa and lactation boost tea as compared to the control. Furthermore, compared to the control group, pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-2, 1β, 22, 17-A, and 12 p40 were all lower in Moringa and Lactation boost tea when compared to the control group. On Day 14, IL-23, 22, 1α, increased in Moringa and lactation boost tea groups compared to control. These data show that while the addition of these galactagogues, given as a tea, did not impact milk quantity or pup growth, there were differences in cytokine expression. This preliminary study provides a better understanding of how galactagogues impact milk production and cytokines in milk and can ultimately help uncover the role of cytokines in milk in support of mammalian mammary and neonatal health.

• Publisher: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
• Subject: Agriculture / Animal sciences
• ISBN: 9798352913406