Sex-Dependent Effects of PM_2.5 Maternal Exposure and Quercetin Intervention on Offspring's Short Chain Fatty Acids

Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are produced by the colonic microbiota through fermentation. Influences of maternal PM_2.5 exposure on SCFAs of the offspring have not been well understood. Additionally, studies of dietary intervention have not been carried out yet. Here we performed a study that dams were received PM_2.5 and quercetin intervention during gestation and lactation. SCFAs in colon of dams and their offspring (on postnatal day 21 and 35) were analyzed using gas chromatography. For male offspring, when compared with the control group levels of acetic acid, butyric acid, and valeric acid were lower in the PM_2.5 group (p < 0.05), however, levels of isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid were higher in the PM_2.5 group (p < 0.05). For female offspring, as compared with the control group, propanoic acid was lower in the PM_2.5 group, however isovaleric acid was higher in the PM_2.5 group (p < 0.05). 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg quercetin intervention could inhibit SCFAs production of male offspring, especially in isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid (p < 0.05). 100 mg/kg quercetin intervention could upgrade the level of propanoic acid of female offspring (p < 0.05). Taken together, these results suggest that PM_2.5 tracheal exposure during gestation and lactation could influence SCFAs of offspring. Quercetin administration might have the potential to offset the effects of mater PM_2.5 exposure on SCFAs in the offspring to some extent. The above effects were showed in a sex-dependent manner.