Bifidobacterium breve M‐16 V and scGOS/lcFOS Supplementation to Dams Ameliorates Infant Rotavirus Infection in Early Life

The immune system of newborns is underdeveloped, leaving them susceptible to infections like rotavirus (RV). Despite vaccines, RV remains a leading cause of child mortality, especially in developing countries. Maternal immunity is transferred during pregnancy and breastfeeding to the offspring providing protection against RV infection. This study aims to explore how the maternal diet can enhance the newborn's ability to fight early infections. Pregnant rats received orally Bifidobacterium breve M‐16 V and short chain galacto‐oligosaccharides (scGOS)/long chain fructo‐oligosaccharides (lcFOS). At day 5 of life pups are infected with RV and at day 8, samples are collected for the infection analysis. Pups whose mothers received the synbiotic have lower RV infection severity. The levels of immunoglobulins (Ig) IgG2c and IgA are raised in pups' plasma and digested milk, respectively. Synbiotic supplementation improves intestinal maturation and increases gene expression of immune‐related genes. In conclusion, the administration of this synbiotic to gestating and lactating mothers ameliorates the incidence and severity of the pup's diarrhea caused by the RV infection by improving their immunity. The graphical illustrates the impact of maternal synbiotic supplementation with Bifidobacterium breve M‐16V and a mixture of short‐chain galacto‐oligosaccharides (scGOS) and long‐chain fructooligosaccharides (lcFOS) during gestation and lactation on the offspring's response to rotavirus (RV) infection in early life. Following maternal supplementation, the offspring of the supplemented dams exhibited reduced severity and incidence of infection. Additionally, the immunoglobulin profile, intestinal functionality, and microbiota composition of the offspring were modulated as a result of the maternal supplementation