Project description:Antibiotics have long-lasting consequences on the gut microbiota with the potential to impact host physiology and health. However, little is known about the transgenerational impact of an antibiotic-perturbed microbiota. Here we demonstrated that adult pregnant female mice inoculated with a gut microbial community shaped by antibiotic exposure passed on their dysbiotic microbiota to their offspring. This dysbiotic microbiota remained distinct from controls for at least 5 months in the offspring without any continued exposure to antibiotics. By using IL-10 deficient mice, which are genetically susceptible to colitis, we showed mice that received an antibiotic-perturbed gut microbiota from their mothers had increased risk of colitis. Taken together, our findings indicate that the consequences of antibiotic exposure affecting the gut microbiota can extend to a second generation.
