Abstract: Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are a group of complex glycans occurring in human breast milk that play important roles in the growth and development of infants. More than 200 distinct kinds of HMOs have been identified so far. The naturally occurring mixtures of HMOs in humans have different components and profiles that reflect the mother’s genetic makeup (e.g., Lewis blood type), duration of lactation, life style, diet and geographic region. A number of functions that may protect the health of breast-fed infants have been reviewed for HMOs. However, available information on the content and profiles of HMOs in human milk, especially among Chinese mothers, is limited. Therefore, further research on the relationship between the structure and functions of HMOs and a databank of HMOs from Chinese mothers are needed in order to establish a firm scientific basis and specific guidelines for improved infant formula in the future.

Key words: human milk oligosaccharides; oligosaccharide; prebiotic; infant formula

摘要： 母乳低聚糖（human milk oligosaccharides，HMOs）是一类存在于人乳中的复杂混合低聚糖，是母乳中的第三大营养物质，在婴幼儿生长发育中起到重要作用。目前已鉴定出超过200种不同的母乳低聚糖。天然的母乳低聚糖混合物的不同组成和分布，反映了母亲的遗传基因特性（如：路易斯血型）、哺乳阶段、生活方式、饮食和生活地域等的不同。本文对母乳低聚糖对母乳喂养儿的健康起到有益作用的一些研究和文献进行了总结和评述。关于母乳低聚糖，尤其是中国妈妈乳汁中的母乳低聚糖的含量和特性分布的信息非常有限，因此，在中国有必要强化研究母乳低聚糖结构和功能的关系，建立中国妈妈的母乳低聚糖数据库，以期形成一个可靠的科学依据和明确的指导方针来改善婴儿配方食品。

关键词: 母乳低聚糖；低聚糖；益生元；婴儿配方食品