LAUSR

Objectives The objectives of the present study were to analyze the cholesterol concentration and explore factors associated with milk cholesterol concentrations in various Chinese populations. Methods This was a part of a large cross-sectional study conducted in 11 provinces/autonomous regions/municipalities (Beijing, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, Shandong, Shanghai, Xinjiang, Yunnan and Zhejiang) across China between 2011 and 2013. Lactating women (n = 6481) within 0-330 days postpartum were recruited in the original study. A sub-sample of 1138 women was randomly selected, and milk cholesterol concentrations were determined by HPLC. Results Mean cholesterol concentration was 200 mg/L, 171 mg/L, and 126 mg/L for colostrum, transitional milk, and mature milk, respectively. Cholesterol concentrations differed significantly between stages of lactation (colostrum vs transitional milk, colostrum vs mature milk, transitional milk vs mature milk, all P < 0.001). Maternal dietary egg and flesh food intake, geographic area and serum cholesterol concentration were not associated with milk cholesterol concentration. However, milk cholesterol concentrations vary among different ethnicities (Tibetan vs Hui: 164 mg/L vs 131 mg/L, P = 0.027) in China. Conclusions The concentration of cholesterol in milk changes dynamically throughout lactation. Maternal dietary egg and flesh food intake or serum cholesterol are not associated with milk cholesterol concentration, but milk cholesterol concentrations vary across ethnicities in China. Funding Sources This study was funded by the National Key R&D Program of China and the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program).