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Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
10:36

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Published on: January 27, 2019

Probiotic supplementation promotes bone development, immune maturation, and cognitive function in growing mice

Mingjie Li1,2, Haiqin Chen1,2,3, Qing Zhang1,2

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.

Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
|June 5, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Lacticaseibacillus paracasei L578, a probiotic, promotes bone growth, enhances immune function, and improves cognitive development in mice. This offers potential benefits for infant and child health.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology and Immunology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Early life is a critical period for bone, immune, and neurodevelopment.
  • Probiotics may support healthy development during infancy and childhood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effects of four probiotic strains on bone growth, immune function, and cognitive function in a growing mouse model.
  • To provide preclinical evidence for probiotic applications in supporting infant and child health.

Main Methods:

  • Female BALB/c mouse pups were gavaged daily with four probiotic strains or saline from postnatal week 1 to week 5.
  • Bone microarchitecture was assessed using micro-computed tomography and histomorphometry.
  • Immune function was evaluated by measuring immunoglobulin and cytokine concentrations; cognitive function was assessed using behavioral tests.

Main Results:

  • Lacticaseibacillus paracasei L578 increased femoral length and bone volume, while Bifidobacterium bifidum B11 improved cortical bone parameters.
  • L. paracasei L578 upregulated bone formation markers and key osteogenic transcription factors.
  • L. paracasei L578 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BAL531 increased colonic immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin G, and interferon-γ, indicating immune regulation.
  • L. paracasei L578 administration enhanced cognitive function, as evidenced by increased exploration in the open field and higher spontaneous alternation rates in the Y maze.

Conclusions:

  • L. paracasei L578 significantly enhances bone formation, longitudinal growth, and bone mass.
  • This probiotic strain also regulates mucosal humoral immunity and improves cognitive function.
  • L. paracasei L578 shows promise as a probiotic for supporting developmental health.
Abstract

Keywords:
bone formationcognitive functionimmune functionsjuvenile miceprobiotics

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