GENDER SPECIFIC SYNTHETIC NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITIONS AND NUTRITIONAL SYSTEMS COMPRISING THEM

1 . A method of providing nutrition to an infant up to 1 month of age comprising administering a gender specific synthetic nutritional composition wherein, the total protein content of the composition is adapted based on that found in human milk produced for an infant of the same gender and age.

2 . Method according to claim 1 wherein the total protein content of the composition is adapted to an infant of up to 1 month of age and wherein, if the total protein content is adapted to a male infant it is 0.7 g to 2.3 g per 100 mL and, if the total protein content is adapted to a female infant it is 0.2 g to 2.0 g per 100 mL.

3 . Method according to claim 1 wherein the total protein content of the composition is adapted to an infant of up to 2 weeks of age and wherein, if the total protein content is adapted to a male infant it is 0.7 g to 2.3 g per 100 mL and, if the total protein content is adapted to a female infant it is 0.6 g to 2 g per 100 mL.

4 . Method according to claim 1 wherein the total protein content of the composition is adapted to an infant of 2 weeks to 1 month of age and wherein if the total protein content is adapted to a male infant it is 0.8 g to 1.9 g per 100 mL and, if the total protein content is adapted to a female infant it is 0.2 g to 1.9 g per 100 mL.

5 . Method according to claim 1 wherein the composition is selected from the groups consisting of: infant formula, and a composition for infants that is intended to be added to or diluted with human milk fortifier.

6 . A method according to claim 1 wherein the composition is prepared by measuring out an appropriate amount of the gender neutral synthetic nutritional composition and mixing it with an additive and/or diluent.

7 . A nutritional system comprising a gender specific synthetic nutritional composition selected from the group consisting of: a composition adapted to an infant of up to 1 month of age and wherein, if the total protein content is adapted to a male infant it is 0.7 g to 2.3 g per 100 mL and, if the total protein content is adapted to a female infant it is 0.2 g to 2.0 g per 100 mL;

a composition adapted to an infant of up to 2 weeks of age and wherein, if the total protein content is adapted to a male infant it is 0.7 g to 2.3 g per 100 mL and, if the total protein content is adapted to a female infant it is 0.6 g to 2 g per 100 mL; and

a composition adapted to an infant of 2 weeks to 1 month of age and wherein if the total protein content is adapted to a male infant it is 0.8 g to 1.9 g per 100 mL and, if the total protein content is adapted to a female infant it is preferably 0.2 g to 1.9 g per 100 mL.

8 . A nutritional system according to claim 7 comprising at least one male gender specific synthetical nutritional composition and, at least one female gender specific synthetic nutritional composition.

9 . A nutritional system according to claim 8 wherein the total protein content in the male gender specific nutritional composition is higher than that of the female gender specific synthetic nutritional composition.

10 . A nutritional system according to claim 7 comprising gender specific synthetic nutritional compositions for infants of more than 1 month of age wherein, the total protein content of the gender specific synthetic nutritional compositions does not differ by gender for infants of the same age.

11 . A nutritional system according to claim 7 further comprising gender neutral synthetic nutritional compositions for infants of more than 1 month of age.

12 . (canceled)

13 . A method for use to treat, protect or mitigate sub optimal growth and development of an infant comprising administering a gender specific synthetic nutritional composition wherein, the total protein content of the composition is adapted based on that found in human milk produced for an infant of the same gender and age.

14 . A method for providing an optimum amount of total protein to an infant, in particular an infant of up to 1 month of age comprising:

preparing a gender specific nutritional compositions wherein, the total protein content of the composition is adapted based on that found in human milk produced for an infant of the same gender and age a gender neutral synthetic nutritional composition;

feeding the gender specific nutritional compositions to an infant up to 1 month of age.

15 . (canceled)

16 . A kit for providing an optimized amount of total protein to an infant up to 1 month of age, the kit comprising:

a gender neutral synthetic nutritional composition

a label indicating dosage requirements for an infant so as to arrive at a gender specific nutritional composition.