The Effect Of Probiotics On Intestinal Immune Function Of The Newborn Wistar Rat Models Whose Mothers Were Fed With Probiotics Before Or During Pregnancy

Good nutrition during pregnancy improves the chances of having a healthy baby who will be at a lower risk of diseases.The term probiotics is defined as "live microorganisms" which confer a health benefit on the host when administrated in adequate amount.Usually Bifidobacterium,Lactobacillus and Streptococcus are used in probiotic products.Bifidobacterium is the normal gut flora in human and animal. Bifidobacterium is colonized in intestine for the whole life.the quantity of Bifidobacterium is related to health.It has been proved that when administrated orally in adequate amount,Bifidobacterium can activate immune system to secret several cytokins then enhance local and general immune function of the host.In newborn,there is no intestinal bacteria,2 or 3 days after birth Bifidobacterium colonization is found and grows rapidly in the following days.A significant increase in the percentage of Bifidobacterium is demonstrated in the following 4-5days.7 days later Bifidobacterium becomes the major intestinal bacteria and the sum of it reaches 98%of infant intestinal microflora.The establishment and equilibrium of normal gut flora in newborn is very important.study indicates Bifidobacterium colonization in vaginal labor newborn is earlier than cesarean section,breast-fed is earlier than bottle-fed,full-term delivery is earlier than premature delivery.cesarean section and bottle-fed are increased rapidly all over the world.how to promote the mature of newborn's immune system is a task for obstetrician and pediatrician.There is evidence that maternal consumption of probiotics during pregnancy is useful for establishment of normal gut microflora in newborns,probiotics-supplemented infant formula and breast-feeding have similar effects on infant intestinal microflora.nowadays there is few scientific study about taking probiotics during pregnency can promote the mature of newborn's immune system.We establish the wistar rat models of taking probiotics (Goden Bifid)before or during pregnancy to observe that maybe maternal consumption of probiotics can promote the mature of intestinal immune function of newborns.Methods1.preparation of animal models30 healthy female wistar rats,the weight of these rats were between 180-220g,were divided at random into experimental group and control group.the rats in experimental group were given probiotics before or during pregnancy,the amount of it is 0.1g/kg weight,while control group were given distilled water everyday consecutively.2.intestinal anaerobic microflora cultureModified MRS medium(adding5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indoly1-β-D-galactopyranoside, X-Gal to MRS medium)was used in selective enumeration of Bifidobacterium. Anaerobic microflora culture of newborn's fresh fecal samples was the key step.The first day,the second day,the third day,the seventh day and the fourteenth day after birth,newborn's fresh fecal samples were cultivated in modified MRS medium. Different colour colonies were identified on the medium,dark blue colonies were Bifidobacterium,white and light blue colonies were not Bifidobacterium.3.Determination of infant's serum IL-4 and IFN-r levelsAfter the 21 breast-fed days,the infants were sacrified,levels of infant's serum IL-4 and IFN-r were determined by ELISA KIT.The results in experimental group were compared with control group. Results1.The study shows that Bifidobacterium was colonized in newborn intestinal microflora 3 days after birth both in the experimental group and control group.2.The study shows that the levels of infant's serum IL-4 and IFN-r were significantly increased in the experimental group as compared with that in the control group.There was a positive correlation beteeen maternal taking probiotics and infant's serum IL-4 and IFN-r levels(P＜0.05),but only giving probiotics during 21 breast-fed period was not very useful(P＞0.05).Conclusions1.Maternal consumption of probiotics before or during pregnancy and breast-fed period was not very useful for establishment of normal gut microflora in newborns.2.With the prolong of maternal consumption of probiotics,there was a marked change in the infant's serum IL-4 and IFN-r levels.3.Maternal taking probiotics before or during pregnancy can promote the mature of intestinal immune function of newborns.