A recent research paper from the University of Helsinki entitled “Impacts of maternal microbiota and microbial metabolites on fetal intestine, brain, and placenta” caught my eye.The microbiota is a unique community of about 100 trillion bacterial cells, fungi, and viruses pitching their tents in our gut. Everyone’sis unique, regulated by what we eat and drink as well as many other factors such as sleep, exercise, our social relations, and environment.
Similarly, genes in the brains of fetuses of the normal environment mothers associated with the development and functioning of theMale mice were more affected than female mice. There is much speculation as to why males across the board have higher morbidity and mortality rates than females. I shall deal with that question in a future post.
Studies involving the transfer of fecal microbiota from MDD patients to antibiotic-treated rats who then develop depressive-like behavioural and physiological symptoms demonstrate the pivotal role the microbiota play in health and disease.