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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Published on: January 27, 2019

Maternal Microbiota Transfer Programs Offspring Eating Behavior.

Anne-Lise Pocheron¹, Gwenola Le Dréan¹, Helene Billard¹

¹UN, INRAE, UMR 1280, PhAN, IMAD, Nantes, France.

Frontiers in Microbiology

|July 2, 2021

Summary

Maternal gut microbes transferred to pups can program eating behaviors, increasing overconsumption risk, even if the gut microbiota composition doesn't persist into adulthood. This highlights the impact of early life microbial exposure on offspring appetite regulation.

Keywords:

16S rDNA sequencing DOHaD (development origins of health and disease)OP rat food preference motivation obesity

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Last Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

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Published on: January 27, 2019

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Long-Term Health Impacts of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection on Offspring

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Published on: May 17, 2024

Author Spotlight: Studying the Impact of Maternal Dietary Deficiencies on Long-Term Offspring Health Outcomes

Author Spotlight: Studying the Impact of Maternal Dietary Deficiencies on Long-Term Offspring Health Outcomes

Published on: June 28, 2024

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Developmental Biology
Nutritional Science

Background:

Maternal obesity is linked to offspring appetite regulation, with potential influences from genetics, environment, and the maternal microbiome.
Maternal microbiotas differ between obese and lean mothers and are key determinants of infant gut colonization.
Early gut microbiota colonization may impact offspring feeding behavior and long-term body weight.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the causal role of vertical maternal microbiota transmission in programming offspring eating behavior and obesity risk.
To determine if maternal microbiota transfer influences the development of eating behaviors and body weight in offspring.

Main Methods:

Obese-prone (OP) and obese-resistant (OR) Sprague-Dawley rat dams' vaginal, fecal, and milk microbiota were collected.
Conventional Fischer F344 pups were orally inoculated with these maternal microbiota from birth to 15 days.
Recipient rats' gut microbiota, growth, caloric intake, food reward responses, taste preferences, and post-ingestion sensations were assessed into adulthood.

Main Results:

Maternal microbiota transfer altered recipient pups' gut microbiota composition, though these changes were not sustained into adulthood.
Transferred microbiota were associated with specific eating behaviors in pups, predisposing them to overconsumption later in life.
Correlations were found between early microbiota composition and subsequent food intake parameters.

Conclusions:

Neonatal gut microbiota transfer can program eating behavior, influencing offspring's predisposition to overconsumption.
This programming effect occurs even without a significant long-lasting impact on the adult gut microbiota composition.
Understanding maternal microbiota transmission is crucial for designing preventive strategies against childhood obesity.