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Updated: Jun 26, 2025
Murine Fecal Isolation and Microbiota Transplantation
Published on: May 26, 2023
Fecal transplant from vaginally seeded infants decreases intraabdominal adiposity in mice
Sivaranjani Namasivayam1, Curtis Tilves2,3, Hua Ding4
1Clinical Microbiome Unit (CMU), Laboratory of Host Immunity and Microbiome, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Abstract:
Exposing C-section infants to the maternal vaginal microbiome, coined "vaginal seeding", partially restores microbial colonization. However, whether vaginal seeding decreases metabolic disease risk is unknown. Therefore, we assessed the effect of vaginal seeding of human infants on adiposity in a murine model. Germ-free mice were colonized with transitional stool from human infants who received vaginal seeding or control (placebo) seeding in a double-blind randomized trial. There was a reduction in intraabdominal adipose tissue (IAAT) volume in male mice that received stool from vaginally seeded infants compared to control infants. Higher levels of isoleucine and lower levels of nucleic acid metabolites were observed in controls and correlated with increased IAAT. This suggests that early changes in the gut microbiome and metabolome caused by vaginal seeding have a positive impact on metabolic health.
Insights
Vaginal seeding, exposing C-section infants to maternal microbes, may reduce metabolic disease risk. Studies show it can decrease abdominal fat in male mice, suggesting positive impacts on metabolic health.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Metabolic disease research
- Pediatric health
Background:
- Cesarean section (C-section) delivery disrupts infant microbial colonization.
- Vaginal seeding partially restores the infant gut microbiome.
- The impact of vaginal seeding on long-term metabolic health remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of vaginal seeding on adiposity in a murine model.
- To determine if early microbial colonization influences metabolic disease risk.
Main Methods:
- Germ-free mice were colonized with stool from infants undergoing a double-blind randomized trial of vaginal seeding or placebo.
- Intraabdominal adipose tissue (IAAT) volume was measured.
- Metabolomic analysis was performed on fecal samples.
Main Results:
- Male mice receiving stool from vaginally seeded infants showed reduced IAAT volume compared to controls.
- Control mice exhibited higher isoleucine and lower nucleic acid metabolites.
- These metabolic profiles correlated with increased IAAT in controls.
Conclusions:
- Early gut microbiome and metabolome alterations via vaginal seeding may positively influence metabolic health.
- Vaginal seeding shows potential in mitigating adiposity and associated metabolic risks.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings in human infants.
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