Untargeted metabolomics of offspring rats in MIA model

Maternal immune activation is a significant environmental factor for neurodevelopmental diseases. Although gut bacteria and their metabolites are linked to behavioral deficits in NDDs, the roles of gut fungi and secondary fungal metabolites remain unclear. Here, we induced MIA via a single intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg/kg Poly IC in pregnant rats on gestational day 15 and characterized its effects on mycotoxin profiles in juvenile rat offspring.  MIA disturbed the mycotoxin profiles in offspring fece. Specifically, levels‌ of dihydrohydroxy-O-methylsterigmatocystin (Dihydro-HOMST), citreoviridin D, fusaric acid, and wortmannin were elevated in Poly I:C-exposed offspring compared to controls, whereas those of aflatoxin B1 dialcohol and kojic acid levels were reduced. Based on Spearman's correlation analysis, the relative abundance of gut fungi correlated significantly with the levels of mycotoxins produced by these fungi.