Maternal-to-infant transmission of probiotics: concept validation in mice, rats, and pigs.
BACKGROUND
Postnatal introduction of probiotics results in a low incidence of colonization, whereas maternal fecal and vaginal bacteria colonize the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of vaginally delivered infants.


OBJECTIVE
We tested if probiotic bacteria, fed to three pregnant animal models, would colonize the GIT of offspring delivered vaginally.


METHODS
Probiotic strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis were fed to pregnant mice, rats, and sows for at least 7 days prior to vaginal delivery. Cultural approaches and genotyping were used to determine if the probiotic bacteria colonized the GIT after birth.


RESULTS
The probiotic bacteria were detected in the feces and vagina of maternal mice, rats, and sows after, but not before, administration. L. acidophilus was detected at postnatal day 14 in 22, 33, and 75% of the mice, rats, and pigs, respectively, and after weaning in 35% of the mice and 1 of 5 pigs. B. lactis was present at postnatal day 14 in 30 and 80% of the mice and pigs. Bacterial assemblages in the GIT of the colonized young differed from those in which the probiotics were not detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Probiotic bacteria administered to mothers during late gestation are transferred to infants born vaginally and influence the assemblages of GIT bacteria. However, colonization of the neonatal GIT and persistence past weaning does not occur in all offspring and varies among probiotics and animal models.
Buddington
Randal K
RK
Department of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152-3480, USA. rbddngtn@memphis.edu
Williams
Carol H
CH
Kostek
Beverly M
BM
Buddington
Karyl K
KK
Kullen
Martin J
MJ
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000502:physiology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005260:Female; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007779:Lactobacillus acidophilus / Q000502:physiology; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013552:Swine