Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Oral Gavage in Neonatal Mouse Pups and Functional Assessment of Gut Barrier Integrity Using Ussing Chambers
07:18

Oral Gavage in Neonatal Mouse Pups and Functional Assessment of Gut Barrier Integrity Using Ussing Chambers

Published on: January 9, 2026

Mother-to-offspring microbial vertical transmission: timing, determinants, and impact on offspring susceptibility to

Ruqiao Duan1,2,3, Kun Wang1,2,3, Liping Duan1,2,3

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.

Medical Review (2021)
|July 1, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Mother-to-offspring microbial transmission shapes the early-life microbiome. Understanding transmission routes and influencing factors is key for preventing infant dysbiosis and related diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Human Microbiome
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • The early-life microbiota is crucial for infant health and development.
  • Mother-to-offspring microbial vertical transmission is a primary determinant of the infant microbiome.
  • Disruptions in early microbial colonization are linked to various health issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize current knowledge on mother-to-offspring microbial vertical transmission.
  • To examine the timing, determinants, and health implications of this transmission.
  • To review potential interventions for disrupted microbial transmission.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of studies on maternal-infant microbial transmission.
  • Analysis of evidence regarding prenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal transmission routes.
  • Evaluation of factors influencing microbial transmission and their impact on the infant microbiome.

Main Results:

  • Evidence for prenatal transmission remains debated, while intrapartum (birth) and postnatal (breastfeeding) transmission are well-established.
  • Delivery mode, gestational age, feeding practices, and antibiotic exposure significantly modulate microbial transmission.
  • Interventions like probiotics and microbiota transplantation show promise in restoring healthy microbial patterns.

Conclusions:

  • Vertical microbial transmission is fundamental to intergenerational microbiome inheritance.
  • Targeting vertical transmission offers a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing early-life dysbiosis.
  • Optimizing early microbial colonization is vital for long-term infant health outcomes.

Keywords:
gastrointestinal diseasesmaternalmicrobiotaoffspringvertical transmission

More Related Videos

A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development08:50

A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development

Published on: June 24, 2020

Modeling Ascending Vaginal Infection, Preterm Birth, and Neonatal Morbidity in Mice04:18

Modeling Ascending Vaginal Infection, Preterm Birth, and Neonatal Morbidity in Mice

Published on: October 10, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Transmission of Pathogens01:24

Transmission of Pathogens

Pathogens spread from their reservoirs to susceptible hosts through three main routes: contact transmission, vehicle transmission, and vector transmission. Each route involves distinct mechanisms of transfer.Contact TransmissionThis category includes direct contact, indirect contact, and droplet transmission:Direct contact involves immediate physical interaction between individuals—such as a handshake—which can spread pathogens like Streptococcus pyogenes, the bacterium responsible for...
Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...
Infection01:20

Infection

When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...