Effects of the gut microbiota on placental angiogenesis and intrauterine growth in gnotobiotic mice

Comparing germ-free female mice and their normally colonized counterparts disclosed fetal and placental growth restriction accompanied by gene and protein expression shifts reflecting abnormal blood-vessel development in fetal-derived placental compartments. Providing a mouse gut microbiota to germ-free mice prior to pregnancy rescues abnormal placental vascularization and fetal growth restriction, suggesting the maternal gut microbiota is a potential therapeutic target for interventions designed to promote healthy intrauterine development.