Probiotics modulate host-microbe interaction in the placenta and fetal gut: a randomized, double-blind,

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
10:36

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Published on: January 27, 2019

Samuli Rautava1, Maria Carmen Collado, Seppo Salminen

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland. samrau@utu.fi

Neonatology
|July 11, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal microbial exposure influences fetal immune gene expression. Maternal probiotic supplementation can modulate these fetal immune responses, impacting both the placenta and the fetal gut.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

  • Early host-microbe interactions are crucial for immune system development.
  • The impact of prenatal microbial exposure on fetal immunity is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if placental or amniotic fluid microbes affect fetal innate immune gene expression.
  • To investigate if probiotics modulate these immune gene expression profiles.

Main Methods:

  • A double-blind clinical trial involving 43 pregnant women receiving probiotics or placebo.
  • Quantitative PCR (qPCR) used to detect bacteria and assess Toll-like receptor (TLR)-related gene expression in placenta and meconium.

Main Results:

  • Bacterial DNA was present in all placenta samples.
  • In utero microbial DNA correlated with altered TLR-related gene expression in the fetal intestine.
  • Maternal probiotic intake significantly modulated TLR-related gene expression in both placenta and fetal gut.

Conclusions:

  • In utero microbial contact alters fetal intestinal innate immune gene expression.
  • Maternal probiotic supplementation can modulate fetal and placental immune physiology.
Abstract

More Related Videos

An In Vitro Batch-culture Model to Estimate the Effects of Interventional Regimens on Human Fecal Microbiota07:15

An In Vitro Batch-culture Model to Estimate the Effects of Interventional Regimens on Human Fecal Microbiota

Published on: July 31, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Probiotics01:22

Probiotics

Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
Functions of the Gut Microbiota01:18

Functions of the Gut Microbiota

The gut microbiota includes trillions of microorganisms that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. This complex ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal and systemic health. Most of these microbes inhabit the large intestine, establishing a relatively stable and diverse community that contributes to gut homeostasis through various metabolic, immunological, and protective mechanisms.Dominant bacterial phyla, such as...