Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 Supplementation in Rats during Pregnancy and Lactation Impacts Maternal and Offspring Lipid Profile, Immune System and Microbiota.

Ignasi Azagra-Boronat,Francesc Guardiola,Àngels Franch,Alba Tres,Margarida Castell,Maria J Rodríguez-Lagunas,Francisco J Pérez-Cano,Malén Massot-Cladera

doi:10.3390/cells9030575

Ignasi Azagra-Boronat, Francesc Guardiola + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9030575

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Abstract

Probiotics have shown potential for their use in early life. This study aimed to investigate whether the administration of Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 during pregnancy and lactation periods impacts maternal and offspring plasma lipid profile, immune system and microbiota. Rats were supplemented with the probiotic during gestation and two weeks of lactation. After supplementation, although the microbiota composition was not affected, the probiotic strain was detected in all cecal contents of dams and in some of their pups. Dams showed reduced proportion of T cytotoxic cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes, modulation of intestinal cytokines (IL-10 and IL-12) and changes in plasma fatty acids (20:0, 22:0, 20:5 n-3, and 18:3 n-6). Pups showed changes in immunoglobulins (intestinal IgA and plasmatic IgG2a and IgG2c) and fatty acid profile (17:0, 22:0, and 18:2 n-6). Overall, Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 supplementation contributed to beneficially modulating the immune system of the mother and its offspring.

Highlights

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are critical periods in which maternal diet plays a pivotal role in the correct development and growth of the fetus and infant [1]
After the administration of the probiotic to the dams during the pregnancy period and 2 weeks of lactation, the detection of the specific strain was performed in the cecal content (CC) of dams and pups (Table 1)
No adverse effects were visually detected due to the supplementation. These results suggest that the administration of Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 in pregnant and lactating rats is safe and well tolerated and does not impact negatively on their offspring

Summary

Introduction

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are critical periods in which maternal diet plays a pivotal role in the correct development and growth of the fetus and infant [1] These stages comprise important physiological changes that affect the microbiota of the mother and, the acquisition of the microbiota in the offspring. Cells 2020, 9, 575 be beneficial to pregnancy by the acquisition of a microbiota with higher energy-yielding capacity and able to promote the physiological insulin resistance to ensure appropriate energy transfer to the fetus [2,3,4]. This changed microbiota composition is shaped in order to provide an initial inoculum to the newborn after delivery [6]

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