Maternal precarity and HPA axis functioning shape infant gut microbiota and HPA axis development in humans

Abstract

Background Early life exposure to adverse environments, and maternal stress in particular, has been shown to increase risk for metabolic diseases and neurobehavioral disorders. While many studies have examined the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis) as the primary mechanism behind these relationships, emerging research on the brain-gut axis suggests that the microbiome may play a role. In this study, we tested the relationships among maternal precarity and HPA axis dysregulation during the peripartum period, infant gut microbiome composition, and infant HPA axis functioning. Methods Data come from 25 mother-infant dyads in the Galápagos, Ecuador. Women completed surveys on precarity measures (food insecurity, low social support, depression, and stress) and gave salivary cortisol samples during and after pregnancy. Infant salivary cortisol and stool were collected in the postpartum. Statistical significance of differences in microbial diversity and relative abundance were assessed with respect to adjusted linear regression models. Results Maternal precarity was associated with lower diversity and higher relative abundance of Enterobacteriaceae and Streptococcaceae and a lower relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lachnospiraceae. These patterns of colonization for Enterobacteriaceae and Bifidobacterium mirrored those found in infants with HPA axis dysregulation. Maternal HPA axis dysregulation during pregnancy was also associated with a greater relative abundance of Veillonella. Conclusions Overall, exposures to precarity and HPA axis dysregulation were associated with an increase in groups that include potentially pathogenic bacteria, including Enterobacteriaceae, Streptococcaceae, and Veillonella, and a decrease in potentially protective bacteria, including Bifidobacterium and Lachnospiraceae, as well as a decrease in overall diversity.

Gut feelings: the microbiota-gut-brain axis on steroids

“…For instance, cortisol treatment modulated the oral microbiome in a metatranscriptomic study (58). Furthermore, maternal prenatal and postpartum stress which are measured by saliva cortisol levels are associated with infant intestinal microbiota composition (284) (99).…”

An Updated Narrative Mini-Review on the Microbiota Changes in Antenatal and Post-Partum Depression

“…Kang et al [ 27 , 28 ] discussed in two reports an irrespective link between breastfeeding and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in infants born of mothers with antenatal depression. The concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-10 are higher in Caesarean (C)-section-born individuals by comparison with those born vaginally [ 29 ], while maternal precarity and maternal immune activation (MIA) has low diversity and high relative abundance of Enterobacteriaceae and Streptococcaceae next to the low relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lachnospiraceae [ 30 , 31 ].…”

Psychological Distress in the Galapagos Islands During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Research about the Galapagos Islands appears to focus on the unique biology of the area, while its population is less often contemplated. To the best of the author’s knowledge, only two studies related to psychological functioning in the Galapagos Islands are present in the peer-reviewed literature: one looking at maternal stress and its impact on infant development [ 31 ] and another one surveying cognitive decline in the islands [ 32 ]. The importance of obtaining data on mental health on this locality is underscored by the islands limited resources and tourism-dependent economies that are particularly vulnerable to disruptive natural and social phenomena [ 33 ].…”