Abstract

Elucidating the Role of the Maternal Microbiome in Fetal Neurodevelopment and Offspring Behaviors

Changes in the gut microbiome, in response to environmental challenges such as infection, altered diet, and stress during pregnancy, have been increasingly associated with brain function and behavior. We investigate how depletion and selective reconstitution of the maternal gut microbiome influence fetal neurodevelopment in mice. Metabolomic profiling reveals that the maternal microbiota regulates levels of numerous small molecules in the maternal serum and embryonic brains. Moreover, maternal supplementation with select metabolites abrogates deficiencies in fetal neurodevelopmental processes and prevents abnormalities in sensory behavior in offspring from microbiome-depleted dams.