Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 21, 2026

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
11:22

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Published on: October 15, 2019

31.5K

Impact of early gut microbiota on immune and metabolic development and function

Mei Wang1, Marcia H Monaco1, Sharon M Donovan1

  • 1Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA.

Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine
|May 2, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Early life gut microbes are crucial for infant development and may impact long-term health. Understanding environmental influences on infant microbiota can lead to new strategies for preventing future diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Infant intestinal microbiota establishment occurs within the first two years of life.
  • Host-microbe symbiosis is vital for infant metabolic and immune system development.
  • Early microbial colonization may influence the risk of metabolic and immune disorders later in life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the significance of environmental factors on infant immune and metabolic programming.
  • To identify potential targets for therapeutic and prophylactic interventions in infant health.

Main Methods:

  • This study reviews existing evidence on the impact of environmental factors on infant microbiota.
  • Analysis of factors including fetal exposure, diet, delivery mode, and antibiotic use.

Main Results:

  • Environmental factors significantly shape the early-life gut microbiome.
  • These early microbial compositions are linked to immune and metabolic development trajectories.
  • Specific factors like diet and antibiotic exposure show a notable influence.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding early life microbial colonization and environmental influences is key to promoting infant health.
  • Interventions targeting the infant microbiome could offer new avenues for disease prevention.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate these complex interactions for improved infant health outcomes.

Keywords:
AntibioticsCesarean sectionDietGut microbiotaImmune systemMetabolism

More Related Videos

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

4.4K
An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions05:27

An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions

Published on: June 30, 2021

5.2K

Related Concept Videos

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...
9
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,...
9
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...
90.6K
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...
30
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...
2
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,...
28