Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
Published on: January 27, 2019
Effects of Bifidobacterium supplementation on intestinal microbiota composition and the immune response in healthy
Bing-Bing Wu1, Yi Yang1, Xiu Xu2
1Pediatrics Institute, Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Ministry of Health, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai, 201102, China.
Background:
Intestinal microbiotas are thought to be the most important source of maturational stimuli to the development of the immune system. However, few studies have focused on the development of T helper (Th) 1 immune response and antibody response to vaccinations in healthy infants, especially in a large cohort. Through this randomized, double-blind control trial, we investigated the effects of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 (BB536) supplementation on intestinal microbiota composition and the immune response in term infants.
Methods:
In total, 300 healthy newborns were recruited, randomized and fed formula either supplemented with BB536 or with no supplementation. Stool samples were analyzed at months 2, 4 and 11. The representative cytokine for Th1 [interferon-γ (IFN-γ)] and Th2 [interleukin-4 (IL-4)] secretion cells were measured using enzyme-linked immunospot assay at 4 and 7 months of age. The antibody response to vaccines was measured at months 7 and 11.
Results:
A total of 264 infants completed the study. The amount of bifidobacteria and the bifidobacteria/ Enterobacteriaceae ratio (B/E) were significantly higher in the BB536 supplementation group at months 2 and 4. The number of IFN-γ secretion cells and the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 secretion cells were increased in the BB536 supplementation group at 7 months. Moreover, the higher value of B/E in the early stages seems to be related to the increased Th1 response. No difference was observed between groups in the antibody response after vaccination.
Conclusion:
BB536 has positive effects on establishing a healthy intestinal microbiota early in life, and it also plays an important role in improving the Th1 immune response.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Development of Human Microbiota
Development of the Oral Microbiota
Anatomy of the 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...
Probiotics
Functions of the Gut Microbiota
Introduction to the Human Microbiota

