What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine the chronic effects of aged dysbiotic microbiome on maternal health and cognitive function in mice.

February 2, 2026Stroke0 citations

Abstract TP094: Impact of Aged Microbiome on Post-Pregnancy Health and Cognitive Function in Mice

YCYu-Ju ChenThe University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston FBFrank W. BlixtHouston Health and Human Services Department KRKristen RebelesThe University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Key Result

Aged dysbiotic microbiome transplantation before pregnancy led to increased body weight and memory deficits in dams by 12.5 months of age compared to young controls.

Key Points

To examine the chronic effects of aged dysbiotic microbiome on maternal health and cognitive function in mice.
Used 3-month-old female C57B6 mice for gut bacteria clearance via antibiotics.
Performed fecal microbiome transplant from young and aged donors (12M and 18M).
Monitored body weight and metabolic function post-pregnancy.
Assessed spatial memory performance at 12.5 months of age.
Dams receiving aged microbiomes had higher body weight compared to controls post-pregnancy.
Impaired metabolic function was observed in dams with aged dysbiotic microbiomes.
At 12.5 months, these dams showed significant memory deficits in both spatial short- and long-term tasks.

Structured PICO

Does fecal microbiome transplant from aged donors induce chronic metabolic and spatial memory impairments in young female mice post-pregnancy?

Population

3-month-old young female C57B6 mice

Intervention

Antibiotic treatment to clear gut bacteria followed by fecal microbiome transplant (FMT) from 12-month-old or 18-month-old aged donors prior to pregnancy

Comparator

Antibiotic treatment followed by fecal microbiome transplant (FMT) from 3-month-old control donors prior to pregnancy

Outcome

Body weight, metabolic function, and spatial short- and long-term memory performance at 12.5 months of agesurrogate

Transplantation of an aged microbiome prior to pregnancy in young mice leads to long-term metabolic and cognitive impairments, suggesting a role for the gut microbiome in maternal aging and post-pregnancy health.

Abstract

Advanced maternal age is linked to pregnancy-related complications, such as preeclampsia. These complications can elevate the risk for chronic health issues in women long after childbirth, including hypertension and vascular dementia. The role of the gut microbiome on health has been increasingly recognized. Our prior work demonstrated that reconstitution of aged female microbiomes via fecal microbiome transplant (FMT) to young female mice prior to pregnancy induced significant dysbiosis, inflammation, and behavioral deficits in the offspring, but the effects on the dam were not previously explored. In this study, we investigated the chronic impact of maternal dysbiosis on the health of the dam with aging. 3-month-old (3M) young female C57B6 mice underwent antibiotic treatment to clear gut bacteria, followed by FMT from either 3M control, 12- (12M) or 18-month-old (18M) aged donors. Mothers (Dams) receiving aged microbiomes developed distinct biome populations compared to young controls after FMT. After pregnancy, dams with aged dysbiotic microbiomes had higher body weight compared to controls and exhibited impairment in metabolic function. At 12.5-month-old, dams with aged microbiomes during pregnancy exhibited deficits in both spatial short- and long-term memory performance. In conclusion, aged dysbiotic microbiome transplantation prior to pregnancy contributes to chronic metabolic and spatial memory impairments in dams as they age.

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