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A long‐term study of stable isotope ratios of fingernail keratin and amino acids in a mother–infant dyad
Harris, A.J.T.; Santos, G.M.; Malone, K.O.; van der Meer, M.T.J.; Riekenberg, P.M.; Fernandes, R. (2024). A long‐term study of stable isotope ratios of fingernail keratin and amino acids in a mother–infant dyad. American Journal of Biological Anthropology 185(2): e25021. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.25021
In: American Journal of Biological Anthropology. Wiley: Hoboken. ISSN 2692-7691; e-ISSN 2692-7691, meer
Peer reviewed article  
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Author keywords
    amino acids; breastfeeding; fingernails; nitrogen; weaning
Auteurs  Top 
  • Harris, A.J.T.
  • Santos, G.M.
  • Malone, K.O.
  • van der Meer, M.T.J., meer
  • Riekenberg, P.M., meer
  • Fernandes, R.
Abstract

    Objective

    To evaluate the potential of compound-specific isotope analysis of amino acids (CSIA-AA) for investigating infant feeding practices, we conducted a long-term study that compared infant and maternal amino acid (AA) nitrogen isotope ratios.

    Materials and Methods

    Fingernail samples were collected from a single mother–infant dyad over 19 months postpartum. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios were measured in the bulk keratin of the fingernail samples. Selected samples were then hydrolyzed and derivatized for compound-specific nitrogen isotope analysis of keratin AAs.

    Results

    As in previous studies, infant bulk keratin nitrogen isotope values increased during exclusive breastfeeding and fell with the introduction of complementary foods and eventual cessation of breastfeeding. Infant trophic AAs had elevated nitrogen isotope values relative to the mother, while the source AAs were similar between the mother and infant. Proline and threonine appeared to track the presence of human milk in the infant's diet as the isotopic composition of these AAs remained offset from maternal isotope values until the cessation of breastfeeding.

    Discussion

    Although CSIA-AA is costly and labor intensive, it appears to hold potential for estimating the duration of breastfeeding, even after the introduction of complementary foods. Through the analysis of a full suite of AAs, it may also yield insights into infant physiology and AA synthesis.
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