Maternal Probiotic Supplementation Improves Toxicant-Induced Neurodevelopmental and Adult Deficits in a sexually dimorphic manner

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are endocrine disrupting persistent organic pollutants (POPs) used as flame retardants in a wide range of commercial applications. We have previously reported neurobehavioral and metabolic reprogramming produced by developmental PBDEs. PBDEs perturb the microbiome, an influencer of life-long health, while probiotic supplementation with Limosilactobacillus reuteri (LR) can avert neurobehavioral and endocrine disruption. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that perinatal maternal LR supplementation would protect gut microbiome richness/diversity, developmental milestones, adult neurobehavior and metabolic homeostasis in PBDE-exposed offspring. This study provides evidence that probiotic therapy can sex-dependently mitigate POP-induced reprogramming of neurodevelopment, adult neurobehavior and glucose metabolism in association with gut microbial community structure.