Paternal microbiome perturbations impact offspring fitness.

ABSTRACT: The gut microbiota operates at the interface of host-environment interactions to influence human homoeostasis and metabolic networks^1-4. Environmental factors that unbalance gut microbial ecosystems can therefore shape physiological and disease-associated responses across somatic tissues^5-9. However, the systemic impact of the gut microbiome on the germline-and consequently on the F₁ offspring it gives rise to-is unexplored¹⁰. Here we show that the gut microbiota act as a key interface between paternal preconception environment and intergenerational health in mice. Perturbations to the gut microbiota of prospective fathers increase the probability of their offspring presenting with low birth weight, severe growth restriction and premature mortali

SUBMITTER: Argaw-Denboba A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11096121 | biostudies-literature | 2024 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature