title: Microbes central to human reproduction.
abstract: As studies uncover the breadth of microbes associated with human life, opportunities will emerge to manipulate and augment their functions in ways that improve health and longevity. From involvement in the complexities of reproduction and fetal/infant development, to delaying the onset of disease, and indeed countering many maladies, microbes offer hope for human well-being. Evidence is emerging to suggest that microbes may play a beneficial role in body sites traditionally viewed as being sterile. Although further evidence is required, we propose that much of medical dogma is about to change significantly through recognition and understanding of these hitherto unrecognized microbe-host interactions. A meeting of the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics held in Aberdeen, Scotland (June 2014), presented new views and challenged established concepts on the role of microbes in reproduction and health of the mother and infant. This article summarizes some of the main aspects of these discussions.
authors.affiliation: Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada; Departments of Microbiology & Immunology and Surgery, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brigidi
authors.forename: Jeremy P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.forename: Nikhat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Contractor
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: Emilie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fargier
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lebeer
authors.forename: Rocio
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martín
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: McBain
authors.forename: Gil
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mor
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: O'Neill
authors.forename: Juan Miguel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Swann
authors.forename: Saskia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: van Hemert
authors.forename: Juliett
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ansell
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans / Q000382:microbiology; D007223:Infant; D064307:Microbiota / Q000502:physiology*; D009035:Mothers; D056692:Prebiotics; D019936:Probiotics; D012098:Reproduction; D012606:Scotland
chemical_list: D056692:Prebiotics
keywords: Lactobacilli; mastitis; microbiota; reproduction