Mammary Epithelium Permeability and Infant Health in Breastfeeding
Official title: Mammary Epithelium Permeability, Lactation Outcomes, and Infant Health
Funded at University of Massachusetts Amherst · NIH-11332784 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study following breastfeeding families to understand how milk permeability affects milk quality and infant health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Amherst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hadley, United States) |
| Project start | August 11, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $661,417 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD111200-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11332784 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Mothers who are currently lactating beyond the initial postpartum period and their healthy infants.
✕Less likely to help
Families not currently breastfeeding or those not experiencing early lactation challenges may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how the lining of the milk ducts (the mammary epithelium) may influence breast milk composition during established lactation and how that relates to infant health. The researchers will track milk permeability, antibody content, and other milk components over time in US mothers. By studying milk around 2–6 months after birth, they hope to connect physiological changes in milk with infant health outcomes. The goal is to identify factors that support better breastfeeding success and infant well-being.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could improve guidance for breastfeeding support and strategies to optimize milk quality for infant health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work linked milk permeability to early lactation outcomes; this study extends it to established lactation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Hadley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Arcaro, Kathleen Frances — University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Study coordinator: Arcaro, Kathleen Frances
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.