Soil is a key factor influencing gut microbiota

Exposure to an unsanitary environment increases the diversity and alters the composition of the gut microbiota. To identify the key element in the unsanitary environment responsible for this phenomenon, we investigated the effect and the extent by which the soil in our environment influenced the composition of gut microbiota of mice. Results show that adding unsterile or sterile soil to bedding, either before birth or after weaning, influences significantly the composition of mice gut microbiota.

暴露于不卫生环境可提升肠道菌群（gut microbiota）的多样性，并改变其群落组成。为明确该现象背后不卫生环境中的关键影响因子，本研究探究了环境土壤对小鼠肠道菌群组成的作用及其影响程度。结果显示，无论是在小鼠出生前还是断奶后，向垫料中添加无菌或非无菌土壤，均会显著影响小鼠肠道菌群的组成。