Probiotic supplementation during pregnancy alters gut microbial networks of pregnant women and infants

Abstract

BackgroundProbiotic supplementation has been popular and widespread, yet we still lack a comprehensive understanding of how probiotic supplementation during pregnancy affects the gut microbial networks of pregnant women and infants. In this study, we firstly used network analysis to compare the gut microbiota of pregnant women with and without probiotic supplementation, as well as their infants.MethodsThirty-one pairs of healthy pregnant women and infants were recruited and randomly divided into the probiotic group (15 mother-infant pairs) and the control group (16 mother-infant pairs). Pregnant women in the probiotic group consumed combined probiotics from 32 weeks to delivery. Fecal samples were collected from pregnant women and infants at several time points. Gut microbiota was evaluated using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Intestinal microbial network and topological properties were performed using the molecular ecological network analysis.ResultsNo significant difference was found between the probiotic and control groups on the microbial alpha and beta diversity. As the gestational age increased, the total links, average degree, average clustering coefficient, robustness, and the proportion of positive correlations were increased in pregnant women with probiotics administration. In contrast, these indices were decreased in infants in the probiotic group.ConclusionProbiotic supplement does not change the microbial diversity of pregnant women and infants, but significantly alters the intestinal microbial network structure and properties. Although pregnant women have more complicated and stable networks after probiotic administration, their infants have less stable networks.

Effects of Disinfectants on Larval Growth and Gut Microbial Communities of Black Soldier Fly Larvae

“…As the main determinants of population structure and dynamics, these interactions are essential for the formation of microbial communities [ 50 ]. According to previous studies, a higher number of links and an average degree indicate that the networks are more complex, and networks with more complexity are typically more stable [ 51 , 52 ]. According to our findings, the numbers of links and the average degree of both GT1–2 and PT1–2 were higher than those of the control, which implies that both disinfectants may be advantageous to the complexity of the BSFL gut microbiota ( Figure 5 ).…”

“…In addition, the results also indicate an increase in the percentage of positive links in GT1–2 and PT1–2 in comparison to the control. Cooperation may be a key mode of interaction between bacteria in a relatively healthy gut [ 52 ]. Although digestion could be influenced by many factors, such as the composition of manures and dominant species, our findings suggest that BSFL fed swine manures treated with both disinfectants may have a more complex and cooperative microbial community at the very least.…”

The Role of Diet and Nutritional Interventions for the Infant Gut Microbiome

“…However, there is scarce evidence that this intervention determines sustained colonization or can significantly influence the overall diversity of the infant microbiome [51][52][53]. While some studies report a higher abundance of supplemented species at the time of intervention [52][53][54][55][56][57], other research indicated no notable changes in the abundance of species added through supplementation following the discontinuation of the probiotic treatment [58][59][60][61]. A recent metanalysis of seven studies affirms that supplementing mothers with probiotics during pregnancy and breastfeeding leads to the infant's gut being colonized by the species provided [51].…”

Maternal-infant antibiotic resistance genes transference: what do we know?

“… Cephalosporin 23 Respiratory tract, urinary tract and skin infections, gonorrhea. Carbapenems 24 Gram-negative bacterial infections of the urinary tract, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, and urogenital and pelvic area. Azithromycin, erythromycin 25 Macrolides Respiratory, intestine, gynecological, urogenital and skin infections, chlamydia infections and syphilis.…”

“…On the other hand, infants at high risk of developing allergies are also recommended to receive probiotic supplementation 154 . There is no evidence that taking probiotics or prebiotics during pregnancy causes infant and maternal adverse pregnancy outcomes 22 , but significantly modulates the maternal gut microbiota and immune status 23 , 24 .…”