Longitudinal changes during pregnancy in gut microbiota and methylmercury biomarkers, and reversal of microbe-exposure correlations.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Gut microorganisms contribute to the metabolism of environmental toxicants, including methylmercury (MeHg). Our main objective was to investigate whether associations between biomarkers for prenatal MeHg exposure and maternal gut microbiota differed between early and late gestation.

Methods

Maternal blood and stool samples were collected during early (8.3-17 weeks, n=28) and late (27-36 weeks, n=24) gestation. Total mercury and MeHg concentrations were quantified in biomarkers, and inorganic mercury was estimated by subtraction. The diversity and structure of the gut microbiota were investigated using 16S rRNA gene profiling (n = 52). Biomarkers were dichotomized, and diversity patterns were compared between high/low mercury concentrations. Spearman's correlation w

SUBMITTER: Rothenberg SE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6675619 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature