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Absence of Intestinal Microbiota during Gestation and Lactation Does Not Alter the Metabolic Response to a Western‐type Diet in Adulthood
Author(s) -
Lohuis Mirjam A. M.,
Werkman Cornelieke C. N.,
Harmsen Hermie J. M.,
Tietge Uwe J. F.,
Verkade Henkjan J.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
molecular nutrition and food research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.495
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1613-4133
pISSN - 1613-4125
DOI - 10.1002/mnfr.201800809
Subject(s) - biology , offspring , weaning , endocrinology , medicine , lactation , microbiome , gestation , young adult , physiology , metabolism , bile acid , pregnancy , bioinformatics , genetics
Scope Microbiota composition in early life is implied to affect the risk to develop obesity in adulthood. It is unclear whether this risk is due to long‐lasting microbiome‐induced changes in host metabolism. This study aims to identify whether the presence or total absence of early‐life microbiota affects host metabolism in adulthood. Methods and results The effects of a germ‐free (Former GF) versus conventional status during gestation and lactation on the metabolic status in adult offspring are compared. Upon conventionalization at weaning, all mice were metabolically challenged with a Western‐type diet (WTD) at 10 weeks age. Between age 10 and 30 weeks, a former GF status does not notably affect overall body weight gain, cholesterol metabolism, glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity at adult age. However, Former GF mice have lower bile flow and bile acid secretion in adulthood, but similar bile acid composition. Conclusions A germ‐free status during gestation and lactation does not substantially affect key parameters of the metabolic status before 10 weeks of age on chow diet or in adulthood following a WTD challenge. These data imply that microbiota in early life does not critically affect adult metabolic plasticity.