Effects of milk fat globule membrane and its various components on neurologic development in a postnatal growth restriction rat model.

Background: Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a component of breast milk that consists of glycosylated membrane-bound proteins, polar lipids and carbohydrates originating from the mammary gland plasma membrane. A commercially available bovine MFGM added to infant formula has been shown to improve cognitive development in infants at 12 months of age.

Objective: Considering that MFGM is a complex mixture, our aim was to determine which component(s) may be leading to these cognitive outcomes.