Colonic microbial metagenome of stressed pregnant C57BL/6 Jax mice

Maternal stress-induced inflammatory responses are thought to disrupt the intrauterine immune balance during pregnancy and alter fetal neurodevelopment, although the mechanisms are poorly understood. Using a chronic mild restraint stress paradigm in pregnant C57BL/6J mice, we aimed to identify divergent microbial and immune profiles of stressed gestating dams that may underlie detrimental inflammatory signaling at the maternal-fetal interface. Maternal colon contents were collected immediately after the 7-day stressor at gestational day 17, approximately two days prior to parturition. Microbiota metagenome analyses revealed a general immunosuppressive phenotype, with reductions in genes, microbes, and metabolic pathways primarily associated with pro-inflammatory action.