Increased weight gain by C-section: Functional significance of the primordial microbiome.. primordial microbiome

Epidemiological evidence supports a direct association between early microbiota impact -including C-section birthing- and obesity. Here we performed antibiotic-free C-sections with fostering in mice, and followed the early microbiota structure and body weight development. C-section born mice gained 33% more body mass post-weaning than did their vaginally born counterparts. The microbiota structure was different and lacked the dynamic developmental changes observed in normal mice. The results demonstrate a causal relationship between C-section and obesity, supporting the involvement of maternal vaginal bacteria in normal offspring metabolic development.