Father’s Gut Microbiota: The Hidden Key to Offspring Health

Research conducted by the Hackett group at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Rome indicates that altering the gut microbiome of male mice elevates the likelihood of disease in their subsequent generations.

Research led by the Hackett group at EMBL revealed that disrupting the gut microbiota in male mice affects their offspring, resulting in lower birth weights and higher mortality rates. This intergenerational impact is mediated through a newly identified ‘gut-germline axis,’ affecting hormonal signaling and testicular physiology, but these effects are reversible once normal microbiota is restored.

The gut microbiota is a community of microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal tract. It plays a key role in producing enzymes, metabolites, and other molecules essential for host metabolism and environmental responses.

Consequently, a balanced gut microbiota is important for mammalian health in many ways, such as helping to regulate the immune and endocrine systems. This, in turn, impacts the physiology of tissues throughout the body. However, little was known about the impact of the gut microbiota on host reproduction, and whether an altered microbiota in a father could influence the fitness of his offspring.