Influence of Maternal Bifidobacteria on the Development of Gut Bifidobacteria in Infants

Abstract

Intestinal microbiota plays an important role in human health by influencing metabolic activities that result in the creation of energy and absorbable nutrients, a barrier to the colonization of pathogens, and stimulation of the immune system. The development of fecal microbiota in neonates is crucial because those bacteria are the first to colonize the sterile intestine of the neonates and, thus, have a significant effect on the host. Initial colonization is also relevant to the final composition of the permanent microbiota in adults. Bifidobacteria are predominant in the fecal microbiota of infants, and, therefore, they are important to an understanding of how commensal bifidobacteria is established in the intestine of infants. While the mother’s bifidobacteria are considered to significantly influence the infant’s bifidobacteria, it is not clear whether a specific bifidobacterial strain transmits vertically from mother to infant and what factors of the mother before delivery influence the establishment of intestinal bifidobacteria in infants. This review focuses on the impact of maternal bifidobacteria on the development of gut bifidobacteria in the infant and suggests that there is cumulative evidence regarding bifidobacterial transfer from the maternal gut or breast milk to the infant gut.

Is a foetus developing in a sterile environment?

“…Bifidobacteria are important colonizers of an infant's gut during lactation, and evidence is accumulating that the strains found in the infant are vertically obtained from the mother (Mikami et al . ). The original source of these commensal bacteria is probably the mother's gut microbiome.…”

“…It has been known for some time that human milk is not sterile either; notably, it contains bifidobacteria and lactobacilli (Mart ın et al 2003(Mart ın et al , 2009. Bifidobacteria are important colonizers of an infant's gut during lactation, and evidence is accumulating that the strains found in the infant are vertically obtained from the mother (Mikami et al 2012). The original source of these commensal bacteria is probably the mother's gut microbiome.…”

Gut microbiota in early life and its influence on health and disease: A position paper by the Malaysian Working Group on Gastrointestinal Health

“…The DOHaD concept suggests that the maternal microbiome shapes the microbiome composition in the offspring . The maternal vaginal and gut microbiota typically form the first microbial inoculum at birth . Studies have shown that vaginally born infants acquire Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides from their mothers .…”

“…The maternal vaginal and gut microbiota typically form the first microbial inoculum at birth . Studies have shown that vaginally born infants acquire Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides from their mothers . These early colonisers have roles in human milk oligosaccharides (HMOS) metabolism and resistance as well as in the host immune and metabolic programming …”

Succession ofBifidobacterium longumstrains in response to the changing early-life nutritional environment reveals specific adaptations to distinct dietary substrates

“…Concurrently, new strains (that display different genomic content and potential carbohydrate metabolism capabilities) can be acquired, possibly in response to the changing diet. Initial vertical acquisition of Bifidobacterium from mother to newborn babies has been well documented ( 48, 49, 73 ); however, details of strain transmission events in later life are currently unclear. Work of Odamaki et al ( 42 ) identified person-to-person horizontal transmission of a particular B. longum strain between members of the same family, and suggested direct transfer, common dietary sources or environmental reservoirs, such as family homes ( 74 ), as potential vehicles and routes for strain transmission.…”