Dynamics of gut microbiota emergence during fetal development in mice model

Formation of prenatal gut microbiota is extremely important in shaping balance between health and disease. Until now, the course of pregnancy was believed to be a sterile environment. However, recent studies have suggested that microbial populations are present in the fetus also prior to birth. Present study for the first time looked at the origin of fetal gut microbiota in mice model, and indicated its exact route of transmission. Our data was able to report for the first time signature of microbial presence during fetal development, by identifying commensal microbiota as early as few days after implantation, including both bacterial and fungi species. Interestingly, we detected few species specifically related to gestation period. This strongly indicates that the first colonization occurs prenatally with species specificity manner. In conclusion, the study provides a great basis for tests on possible modulation properties of detected key-players microbes. The promising results could become a potential for future biotherapies.