The interplay between the gut microbiota and metabolism during the third trimester of pregnancy

Abstract

The gut microbiota undergoes dynamic changes during pregnancy. The gut microbial and metabolic networks observed in pregnant women have not been systematically analyzed. The primary purpose of this study was to explore the alterations in the gut microbiota and metabolism during late pregnancy and investigate the associations between the gut microbiota and metabolism. A total of thirty healthy pregnant women were followed from 30 to 32 weeks of gestation to full term. Fecal samples were collected for microbiome analysis and untargeted metabolomic analysis. The characteristics of the gut microbiota were evaluated by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing of the V3-V4 regions. The plasma samples were used for untargeted metabolomic analysis with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The interplay between the gut microbiota and metabolism was analyzed further by bioinformatics approaches. We found that the relative abundances of Sellimonas and Megamonas were higher at full term, whereas that of Proteobacteria was lower. The correlation network of the gut microbiota tended to exhibit weaker connections from 32 weeks of gestation to the antepartum timepoint. Changes in the gut microbiota during late pregnancy were correlated with the absorbance and metabolism of microbiota-associated metabolites, such as fatty acids and free amino acids, thereby generating a unique metabolic system for the growth of the fetus. Decreasing the concentration of specific metabolites in plasma and increasing the levels of palmitic acid and 20-hydroxyarachidonic acid may enhance the transformation of a proinflammatory immune state as pregnancy progresses.

Causal relationship between gut microbiota and polycystic ovary syndrome: a literature review and Mendelian randomization study

“…found that the genus Sellimonas may be a marker of intestinal homeostasis, and its abundance gradually increases with the restoration of intestinal barrier function ( 54 , 55 ). Genus Coprococcus , an important member of the phylum Firmicutes , is known for its production of butyric acid ( 56 ). Zhou et al.…”

“…known for its production of butyric acid(56). Zhou et al proposed that genus Coprococcus2 is a distinguishing gut microbiota in obese PCOS patients…”

The gut metabolome in a cohort of pregnant and lactating women from Antioquia-Colombia

“…On the other hand, 20-hydroxyarachidonic acid and palmitic acid were enriched at the time of full-term pregnancy. Other metabolites like cyclohexylsulfamate, 3,3-dimethylacrylic acid, hydroxyisocaproic acid, and phenylalanylphenylalanine (Phe-Phe) were also identified in fecal samples from Chinese pregnant women ( Liang et al, 2022 ).…”