A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

The Relationship Between Gut Microbiota During Pregnancy and the Level of Postpartum Adiposity




AuthorsHouttu, Noora; Mokkala, Kati; Lindgren, Himmi; Lotankar, Mrunalini; Benchraka, Chouaib; Pärnänen, Katariina; Saros, Lotta; Muhli, Ella; Vahlberg, Tero; Lahti, Leo; Laitinen, Kirsi

PublisherWiley-Blackwell

Publication year2025

Journal: MicrobiologyOpen

Article numbere70128

Volume14

Issue6

eISSN2045-8827

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1002/mbo3.70128

Publication's open availability at the time of reportingOpen Access

Publication channel's open availability Open Access publication channel

Web address https://doi.org/10.1002/mbo3.70128

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/505366736


Abstract

Gut microbiota is linked with health, including obesity, in the general population. It is unknown whether adiposity at postpartum is influenced by gut microbiota already during pregnancy. We investigated the association between the gut microbiota's composition and predicted function by metagenomics during pregnancy and the women's adiposity (body mass index [BMI], waist-to-hip ratio [WHR], body fat%) assessed at 1-, 2-, and 5–6-years' postpartum in 257 women with overweight or obesity based on prepregnancy BMI values. Body fat% at 1-year, but not at 2- or 5–6-years' postpartum, was associated inversely with α-diversity during pregnancy. Bacterial species GGB3034 SGB4030 (family Erysipelotrichaceae) was higher in women with normal weight than those in women with obesity at 1-year postpartum (q = 0.02), other species being borderline statistically significant (q < 0.25). High WHR and body fat% at 1-year postpartum were associated with two species (q < 0.25). Considering predicted functions of bacteria, an association was detected for BMI, WHR, and body fat%, e.g., body fat% and glycogen biosynthesis I (q < 0.25). Gut microbiota during pregnancy predicted the BMI and body fat% at 1-year postpartum (ROC > 0.50, p < 0.02). Postpartum adiposity was associated with several species and α-diversity. Gut microbiota during pregnancy may be involved in the persistence of obesity and its comorbidities after pregnancy.


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Funding information in the publication
This clinical trial was supported by the State Research Funding for university-level health research in the Turku University Hospital Expert Responsibility Area, Research Council of Finland (#258606), the Diabetes Research Foundation, the Juho Vainio Foundation, the Finnish Cultural Foundation, Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation, Sigrid Juselius Foundation, and the Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research. Funding to the University of Turku for the metagenomics analyses was provided by Janssen Research and Development, LLC. Himmi Lindgren was partially supported by the Finnish Doctoral Program Network in Artificial Intelligence (AI-DOC).


Last updated on 2025-14-11 at 09:20