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Updated: Apr 25, 2026

Oral Gavage in Neonatal Mouse Pups and Functional Assessment of Gut Barrier Integrity Using Ussing Chambers
Published on: January 9, 2026
Altering the intestinal microbiota during a critical developmental window has lasting metabolic consequences
Laura M Cox1, Shingo Yamanishi2, Jiho Sohn2
1Department of Microbiology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA.
Early-life antibiotic exposure, even at low doses, can permanently alter the gut microbiota, leading to lasting metabolic changes and increased obesity risk in hosts. These effects are mediated by the altered microbiota itself.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Metabolic Science
- Immunology
Background:
- The intestinal microbiota is acquired at birth and develops over time.
- Early-life disruption of the microbiota can impact host metabolism and adiposity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term metabolic effects of early-life low-dose penicillin (LDP) exposure.
- To determine if LDP-induced alterations in the gut microbiota cause sustained metabolic changes.
Main Methods:
- Administered LDP from birth to mice.
- Analyzed changes in gut microbiota composition.
- Assessed host body composition and metabolic parameters.
- Transferred LDP-altered microbiota to germ-free mice.
Main Results:
- LDP exposure from birth induced transient gut microbiota perturbations.
- These transient changes led to sustained alterations in body composition and metabolic function.
- LDP enhanced high-fat diet-induced obesity.
- The growth-promoting phenotype was transferable via the altered microbiota.
Conclusions:
- Early-life microbial interactions are critical for long-term host metabolic health.
- The gut microbiota, rather than antibiotics directly, plays a causal role in LDP-induced metabolic alterations.
- Specific microbial taxa are linked to these metabolic changes.
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