Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 29, 2026

Metagenomic Analysis of Silage
Published on: January 13, 2017
A Metagenomic Comparison of the Colostrum Microbiome in Bulgarian Mothers by Delivery Mode: A Pilot Study
Daniela Mollova1, Vesselin Baev2, Tsvetomira Borisova3
1Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Plovdiv, Tzar Assen 24, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Abstract:
Colostrum harbors a highly diverse microbial community, predominantly composed of genera such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Enterococcus. The composition and diversity of this microbiota are influenced by maternal factors-including age, body mass index, lactation activity, stress levels, and gestational diabetes-as well as external factors such as mode of delivery, antibiotic exposure, diet, and geographic location. This microbial community plays a critical role in maternal and neonatal health by contributing to early gut colonization, supporting digestion, promoting immune system development, and protecting against pathogenic microorganisms through mechanisms such as antimicrobial peptide production by lactic acid bacteria. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of mode of delivery on colostrum microbiota by comparing mothers who delivered vaginally with those who underwent cesarean section. Colostrum samples from 15 mothers were subjected to DNA extraction, high-throughput sequencing, and bioinformatic analyses to characterize microbial composition and predicted functional profiles. Although substantial inter-individual variability was observed, no statistically significant differences were detected in overall microbial diversity or community structure between the two delivery groups. However, distinct bacterial taxa and functional characteristics were identified that were specific to each mode of delivery, suggesting subtle delivery-related influences on colostrum microbiota composition.
Related Concept Videos
Pilot and Numeric Relaying
What is a Mode?
There can be more than one mode in a data set if multiple values have the same highest frequency. For instance, suppose that the Statistics exam scores of 20 students are: 50; 53; 59; 59; 63; 63; 72; 72; 72; 72; 72; 76; 78; 81; 83; 84; 84; 84; 90; 93. Here, the mode is 72, as it occurs most frequently, five times.
A data set with two modes is called bimodal. For example,...
The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
Ventilatory Modes
There are three ventilatory modes: full support, partial support, and spontaneous. These are described below.
Full Support Modes
Full support modes include controlled mechanical ventilation, continuous mandatory...
Modes of Standing Waves - I
Modes of Standing Waves: II
For a tube open at one end and closed at the other filled with air, the modes are such that there is always an antinode at the open end and a node at the closed end....

