microbial population of pregnant mouse saliva and amniotic fluid

Maternal periodontal disease is correlated with preterm birth (PTB), and microflora might bridge the correlation. In this study, the alterations and potential roles of microbial population of pregnant mouse saliva and amniotic fluid were investigated. Up to 60% of the OUTs in the saliva and amniotic fluid of PBS-treated mice were overlapped, suggesting the similar composition of microbes in the amniotic fluid and mice mouth. LPS treatment induced changes in the abundance of oral and amniotic fluid microorganisms. Both immune-associated probiotics, salivary and mastitis, were still detected in saliva (at significantly increased levels) after LPS-induced infection, and almost no probiotics of any type were detected in amniotic fluid, suggesting that the uterine cavity seems to be more susceptible to LPS-induced infections compared to the oral cavity. In conclusion, the microbial composition of saliva and amniotic fluid of pregnant mice was similar. LPS-induced intrauterine infection decreased the consistency of microbial composition in mouse saliva and amniotic fluid, increased the abundance of E. coli in saliva and amniotic fluid, and decreased the abundance of immune-associated probiotics, especially in amniotic fluid.