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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
Published on: January 27, 2019
Maternal-to-infant transmission of probiotics: concept validation in mice, rats, and pigs
Randal K Buddington1, Carol H Williams, Beverly M Kostek
1Department of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152-3480, USA. rbddngtn@memphis.edu
Insights
Maternal probiotic administration can transfer beneficial bacteria to vaginally delivered infants, influencing their gut microbiome. However, colonization success and persistence vary among offspring and probiotic strains.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Perinatology
Background:
- Postnatal probiotic introduction shows limited colonization success.
- Maternal vaginal and fecal bacteria naturally colonize the infant gut after vaginal delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if probiotic bacteria administered to pregnant animal models colonize the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of vaginally delivered offspring.
- To assess the transfer and colonization of specific probiotic strains from mother to offspring.
Main Methods:
- Pregnant mice, rats, and sows received Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis probiotics.
- Probiotics were administered for at least 7 days before vaginal delivery.
- Cultural methods and genotyping were used to detect probiotic colonization in offspring's GIT.
Main Results:
- Probiotic bacteria were detected in maternal feces and vaginas post-administration.
- L. acidophilus colonized offspring at varying rates (22-75% by day 14) and persisted in some post-weaning.
- B. lactis colonized offspring at higher rates (30-80% by day 14).
- GIT bacterial assemblages differed between colonized and uncolonized offspring.
Conclusions:
- Probiotics given to mothers late in gestation transfer to vaginally born infants.
- This transfer influences the infant's gut bacterial assemblages.
- Neonatal GIT colonization and persistence past weaning are inconsistent, varying by probiotic and animal model.
Background:
Postnatal introduction of probiotics results in a low incidence of colonization, whereas maternal fecal and vaginal bacteria colonize the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of vaginally delivered infants.
Objective:
We tested if probiotic bacteria, fed to three pregnant animal models, would colonize the GIT of offspring delivered vaginally.
Methods:
Probiotic strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis were fed to pregnant mice, rats, and sows for at least 7 days prior to vaginal delivery. Cultural approaches and genotyping were used to determine if the probiotic bacteria colonized the GIT after birth.
Results:
The probiotic bacteria were detected in the feces and vagina of maternal mice, rats, and sows after, but not before, administration. L. acidophilus was detected at postnatal day 14 in 22, 33, and 75% of the mice, rats, and pigs, respectively, and after weaning in 35% of the mice and 1 of 5 pigs. B. lactis was present at postnatal day 14 in 30 and 80% of the mice and pigs. Bacterial assemblages in the GIT of the colonized young differed from those in which the probiotics were not detected.
Conclusions:
Probiotic bacteria administered to mothers during late gestation are transferred to infants born vaginally and influence the assemblages of GIT bacteria. However, colonization of the neonatal GIT and persistence past weaning does not occur in all offspring and varies among probiotics and animal models.
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