A study by researchers at the University of Cambridge identified for the first time a clear connection between the beneficial bacteria in the intestine and the functioning of the placenta. The results show that a specific species of bacteria, Bifidobacterium Breve, contributes to the regulation of the production of essential hormones for a healthy pregnancy, providing a new perspective on how the maternal microbiome influences the development of the fetus.
The research, published on Tuesday, in the Journal of Translational Medicine, was carried out on pregnant mice. The team compared females without intestinal bacteria with those who had bifidobacterium raws in the intestine during pregnancy. Animals without this bacterium have presented several complications: pregnancy loss, fetal growth restriction and low fetal blood sugar. In contrast, mice colonized with bifidobacterium patents had fewer pregnancy losses, and the placenta was more effective in the absorption and transport of vital nutrients, such as amino acids and lactate, from mother to fetus.
The analyzes highlighted differences in over 150 biological processes and in the expression of over 400 placental proteins between the two groups. Placentals influenced by bifidobacterium patents produced several important hormones for maintaining pregnancy, such as prolactins and glycoproteins specific to gestation.
These discoveries suggest that maternal intestinal microbiome act as a “remote control” over the placenta, regulating hormonal secretion and, implicitly, pregnancy evolution.
According to the main researcher, Dr. Jorge Lopez Tello, the study offers a new way to evaluate the health of the pregnant woman and the fetus by analyzing the maternal intestinal microbiome. The team believes that, in the future, examination and adjustment of the intestinal microbiota through probiotics could become a strategy to reduce the risk of complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia or spontaneous abortion.
The placenta, a vital organ that connects the mother and the fetus, provides oxygen, nutrients and hormones essential for the normal development of the child. However, until recently, the role of mangic microbiome in the functioning of the placenta has been neglected. The results of the Cambridge study bring a new perspective on this complex interaction and how “good” bacteria could be used therapeutically.
The researchers, however, emphasize that the results come from animal experiments, and additional studies are needed to confirm the effects in humans and to determine the safety of interventions on the intestinal microbiome. Bifidobacterium Breve is naturally found in the human intestine and is available in the form of probiotic supplements, but its levels can be influenced by factors such as stress or obesity.
The authors of the study explained that these results open the possibility of simple interventions, based on beneficial microbes, to improve maternal and fetal health. According to them, the use of probiotics could be a safe and natural alternative to classic therapies, offering a way to support the healthy development of pregnancy by balancing the maternal intestinal ecosystem.
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