Research has extensively documented the impact of a mother’s microbiota on a newborn baby. A recent article published in Cell Host & Microbe highlights the significant role that fathers also play in shaping the microorganisms in a baby’s gut. The study also found that transferring maternal fecal microbiota to babies delivered by C-section can help address microbiota imbalances often seen in non-vaginally born babies.Fathers play a significant role in the microbial composition of a baby’s gut. The study also found that maternal fecal microbiota transfer (FMT) can help correct the disturbances in the microbiota of babies born by caesarean section. Fetuses have sterile gastrointestinal tracts and are colonized shortly after birth. Approximately half of the strains found in infants can be linked to the mother’s gut. This led researchers to believe that other individuals who have close contact with the baby also contribute to the microbial colonization.The baby could also play a part in shaping the microbiome, providing a consistent source of beneficial microbial strains.
Lead author Willem M. de Vos, from Wageningen University and the University of Helsinki, commented, “This research offers valuable insights into how a newborn’s microbiome is established. Although the father’s role may be minor, it should not be overlooked. The same is likely true for others who have close contact with the baby.”
Co-author Nicola Segata from the University of Trento in Italy added, “We are pleased to have discovered this link. It emphasizes the importance of investigating other microbial contributions as well.”l, such as those from siblings and from daycare peers.” Segata’s group provided computational analysis, while de Vos’s group designed the study. Inspired by his own experiences as a parent, for many years de Vos has studied the microbiota of infants and how babies’ gastrointestinal tracts become colonized after birth. In October 2020, he and colleagues published a proof-of-concept study in Cellthat confirmed exposing caesarian-born newborns to their mother’s microbiota just after birth was both safe and effective at giving the babies a microbial makeup that looks more similar to babies born vaginally. The babies were fed a small, such as those from siblings and from daycare peers.A recent study showed that newborns acquire a significant amount of their mothers’ fecal microbiota right after birth. The study also included new research on the role of fathers in the microbial makeup of infants. The authors emphasized the growing importance of ensuring a healthy balance of gut microbiota in babies born via caesarian section, as these births now account for 25% of all births globally.
To further investigate this, the researchers conducted metagenomic analysis of fecal samples from newborns and their parents, looking at the presence of various bacterial strains over time. This study builds upon previous research, aiming to understand the impact of parental microbiota on newborns.The research confirmed that maternal fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) led to a significant reduction in potentially harmful bacterial strains for up to a year, as shown in the follow-up analysis. In a more recent study, the fecal microbiomes of 73 infants were compared, with 21 born via caesarian section and 52 born vaginally. Samples were collected over a year and the microbiota of the babies were compared to those of their parents. The study revealed that many of the strains present in the babies at 3 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months originated from the father rather than the mother. These findings include BBifidobacterium longum strains are capable of utilizing oligosaccharides found in mother’s milk despite potentially originating from the father rather than the mother.
Segata noted, “Understanding the significant role of the father in shaping a baby’s microbiome emphasizes the importance of physical and social interactions between the newborn and their father, as well as with other family members. We hope that this research will raise awareness of these vital contributions.”
Researchers in Helsinki have conducted a double-blind placebo-controlled trial involving maternal FMT in babies born by.caesarian (trial NCT04173208). Researchers are currently engaged in a long-term follow-up with these babies, examining not just the microbiome but also various other aspects of their health and immune functions.
Another study, also released on June 12 in Cell Host & Microbe by some of the same authors, indicates that the location of a baby’s birth — whether at home or in a hospital — can impact the transmission of gut microbiota. The place of birth influences the timing of transmission, with the exception of Bifidobacterium longum, which are consistently transmitted regardless of the setting.
This research received support from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research and Busines.In Finland, research funding comes from various sources such as the Academy of Finland, the European Research Council, EMBO, the European H2020 programme, the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, and the Premio Internazionale Lombardia e Ricerca 2019.
