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Maternal obesity modulates offspring microflora composition and gastrointestinal functions, animal study shows

Date:
July 29, 2014
Source:
Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior
Summary:
Maternal obesity leads to marked changes in the offspring's gastrointestinal microflora composition and gastrointestinal function. This study suggests there are non-genetic factors that could be passed from a mother to offspring to increase the susceptibility to obesity.
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Research to be presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior (SSIB) finds that maternal obesity leads to marked changes in the offspring's gastrointestinal microflora composition and gastrointestinal function.

The gastrointestinal microflora consists of multiple species of microorganisms that live in the digestive tracts of animals and assists the host in digestion. An imbalance in an individual's microflora is suspected to contribute to the development and persistence of obesity. An increase in firmicutes to bacteriodetes ratio is a trademark of obesity and is linked to an increase in gastrointestinal permeability, systemic inflammation and weight gain.

Results from this new study show that the "obese" microflora may be passed from a mother to offspring. In rodents, offspring from obese mothers exhibited an increase in firmicutes to bacteriodetes ratio and an increase in gastrointestinal permeability. This is a unique finding because it suggests that there are non-genetic factors that could be passed from a mother to offspring to increase the susceptibility to obesity.

Today about 30% of women entering pregnancy are obese and their children are at greater risk for obesity and associated metabolic disorders. "Modulation of microflora composition is fairly easy and non-invasive and may be of benefit for these children," says Dr. de la Serre. Her research team will continue these studies to investigate whether this may be a viable treatment option and promote the health of the offspring.


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Materials provided by Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Cite This Page:

Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior. "Maternal obesity modulates offspring microflora composition and gastrointestinal functions, animal study shows." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 29 July 2014. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140729224859.htm>.
Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior. (2014, July 29). Maternal obesity modulates offspring microflora composition and gastrointestinal functions, animal study shows. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 18, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140729224859.htm
Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior. "Maternal obesity modulates offspring microflora composition and gastrointestinal functions, animal study shows." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140729224859.htm (accessed March 18, 2024).

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