Bacteria begin to colonize the human body in the womb of the mother
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Scientists from Spain have proved that bacteria begin to colonize the human body in the womb of the mother. The results of the scientific work of Pilar Francino (Pilar Francino) from the Valencia Institute are published in Current Microbiology.
It is believed that the baby in the womb of the mother develops under sterile conditions, and the first bacteria settle in it during childbirth and after birth under the influence of the environment. The whole set of microorganisms that inhabit the human body is called microbiology.
The very first data about the fact that microbiomas have the ability to form in mammals before birth, were seen 4 years ago. Esther Jimenez of the Complutense University of Madrid gave pregnant mice milk containing labeled microorganisms. The day before the scheduled delivery, mice underwent cesarean section surgery under sterile conditions. Then scientists examined meconium (original feces) in newborn mice and found labeled bacteria in it.
A similar method went the group Pilar Francino, - they picked up and frozen meconium from 20 newborns. After that, scientists removed the outer layers of the samples in order to eliminate those microorganisms that got into the body of the baby from the surrounding environment after birth, and studied the remainder. They revealed in the meconium DNA of microbes that produce lactic acid, including lactobacillus, and also the DNA of Escherichia coli. Approximately half of the newborns were dominated by lactobacilli, while in the other half the E. Coli prevailed.
Scientists assume that the composition of the microbiome has a great influence on the formation of the immune system of the newborn, the risk of developing diseases and depends on the lifestyle of the pregnant mother. As a consequence, the composition of bacterial colonies can be influenced by dietary nutrition and sports procedures. Among other things, Francino revealed that lactobacilli dominate in children whose mothers have graduated. In children whose mothers were not trained in institutions, the microbiome is dominated by E. Coli.
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