Modifying the maternal microbiota alters the gut–brain metabolome and prevents emotional dysfunction in the adult offspring of obese dams

Abstract

Significance Maternal obesity is a growing public health concern and is linked to an increased risk of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders in humans. Despite accumulating evidence for the important role maternal microbes play during gestation and nursing, the longitudinal effect of maternal nutrition on offspring metabolism across the gut–brain axis at different ages remains unexplored. We provide evidence for the protective efficacy of perinatal probiotic exposure against increased anxiety-like behaviors induced by maternal obesity. Protection was maintained into adulthood, which may be mediated by the enhancement of brain energy metabolites and an increase in gut butyrate. These findings reveal the importance and long-lasting role of maternally derived microbiota and metabolites in increasing resilience to mood disorders in the offspring.