Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
10:36

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Published on: January 27, 2019

Perinatal and neonatal manipulation of the intestinal microbiome: a note of caution

Josef Neu1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA. neuj@peds.ufl.edu

Nutrition Reviews
|July 4, 2007
PubMed

Insights

The early gut microbiome is crucial for infant health and lifelong gene expression. Manipulating the infant gut microbiome offers benefits but requires caution during the neonatal period.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • The intestinal microbiome's establishment post-birth is vital for early health and disease origins.
  • Factors like nutrition, delivery mode, and antibiotics significantly influence gut microbial ecology.
  • Neonatal gut microbial development has amplified, long-lasting effects compared to later interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on the benefits of early gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome manipulation.
  • To provide a cautionary perspective on indiscriminate GI microbiome interventions during perinatal and neonatal periods.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature on gut microbiome development.
  • Analysis of factors influencing neonatal microbial ecology.
  • Evaluation of the long-term consequences of early microbiome modulation.

Main Results:

  • Early gut microbiome establishment critically impacts health and gene expression.
  • Specific factors can significantly alter the developing microbial community.
  • Neonatal interventions have more profound long-term effects than later ones.

Conclusions:

  • Early manipulation of the GI microbiome can confer health benefits.
  • Indiscriminate interventions during the neonatal period warrant caution due to amplified long-term effects.

More Related Videos

Oral Gavage in Neonatal Mouse Pups and Functional Assessment of Gut Barrier Integrity Using Ussing Chambers07:18

Oral Gavage in Neonatal Mouse Pups and Functional Assessment of Gut Barrier Integrity Using Ussing Chambers

Published on: January 9, 2026

A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development08:50

A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development

Published on: June 24, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Anatomy of the Intestines01:23

Anatomy of the Intestines

Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the small...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...
Gut-Brain Axis01:22

Gut-Brain Axis

The gut–brain axis is a bidirectional communication system that connects the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. This interaction is mediated through multiple pathways, including the vagus nerve, hormonal signals, immune responses, and chemical messengers produced by gut microbes.Microbial Contributions to Brain FunctionGut microbiota contributes significantly to brain function by producing neuroactive compounds. These include neuroactive compounds that influence neurotransmitters such as...