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Epigenetic Perspectives on Maternal Gut Microbiota's Impact on Embryonic and Fetal Development
Shoulong Xu1,2,3, Yanjiao Huang1,2,4, Chenyue Hu1,2,3
1Human Anatomy Experimental Training Center, School of Basic Medical Science, Wannan Medical University, Wuhu, Anhui, China.
Maternal gut microbes and epigenetics influence prenatal development. Personalized nutrition may prevent offspring non-communicable diseases, promoting healthy pregnancies.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Microbiology
- Epigenetics
- Nutritional science
Background:
- Maternal environment and nutrition impact offspring development.
- Mechanisms of maternal-fetal interaction require further elucidation.
- Gut microbiota and epigenetics offer novel insights into these interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review mechanisms of maternal gut microbiota influencing prenatal development epigenetically.
- To discuss personalized nutrition for preventing non-communicable diseases in offspring.
- To provide insights for healthy pregnancies and early disease prevention.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review.
- Analysis of epigenetic modifications.
- Exploration of maternal-fetal crosstalk.
Main Results:
- Maternal gut microbiota can epigenetically regulate fetal development.
- Specific microbial metabolites may influence gene expression in the fetus.
- Nutritional status modulates the maternal microbiome and epigenetic landscape.
Conclusions:
- Maternal gut microbiota plays a critical role in prenatal development via epigenetic pathways.
- Personalized nutritional interventions are promising for preventing developmental origins of non-communicable diseases.
- Targeting maternal microbiome and epigenetics offers new avenues for promoting healthy offspring development.
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