Review article: key aspects of mammal microbiome development

Abstract

This review article summarizes current understanding of the microbiota development in neonatal mammals based on the results of modern experimental studies in animals focusing on three aspects: initial colonization, microbiota effect on the immune function of the developing newborn animal intestine and external factors influencing the microbiome shaping during the juvenile period. The presented study results confirm that the microbial landscape correction is the most important factor for animal health improvement since healthy microflora contributes to the intestinal infection frequency and intensity reduction, and this, in turn, minimizes the use of antibiotics. The microbiome is known to have an impact on the immune system development, metabolic processes and even on the ethology, so an atypical microbial population can cause immune and metabolic disorders. The active interaction between microorganisms and the host organism begins already at birth. Even different modes of delivery (caesarean or vaginal delivery) may determine the initial colonization of the newborn. The animal genetics, nutrition and environment also influence the intestinal microbiota development. In this regard, further studies of probiotics are important to understand their efficacy for diarrhea prevention and treatment, their use as an alternative to antibiotics as well as for enhancement of the animal resistance to stress factors.