Breast vs. bottle feeding in rhesus monkeys: Marked difference in intestinal bacteria, immunologic development
Friday, September 5, 2014 - 00:32
in Health & Medicine
Infant rhesus monkeys receiving different diets early in life develop distinct immune systems that persist months after weaning, a study has shown. While the researchers expected different diets would promote different intestinal bacteria (microbiota), they were surprised at how dramatically these microbes shaped immunologic development. Specifically, breast-fed macaques had more "memory" T cells and T helper 17 (TH17) cells, which are known to fight Salmonella and other pathogens.