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A randomized controlled study including 27 healthy pregnant women during late pregnancy found that probiotic supplementation may modulate vaginal microbiota and improve natal outcomes. Subjects were either supplemented with a high dose oral probiotic mixture of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus strains (VSL#3), (n=15), or a control (n=12). Analysis was conducted on vaginal samples and immunological profiles collected at week 33 and week 37 of gestation. Results showed that while the control group experienced a decrease in levels of Bifidobacterium, cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 and an increase in Atopobium, subjects in the VSL#3 group did not. Additionally, probiotic intake was associated with a decrease in Eotaxin. Findings indicate that supplementation with the probiotic VSL#3 during the last trimester of pregnancy may be associated with increased immunity and an antiinflammatory effect, and may have implications in preventing preterm birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cohort study involving 2911 pregnant women found that folic acid supplementation in early pregnancy boosted midgestational plasma folate levels. Data was derived from plasma folate measured at week 18 of gestation and selfreport use of supplements containing folic acid from before pregnancy to week 17 of gestation. Results showed that continuous supplementation from gestational week -4 to 17 (N = 238) averaged threefold higher levels than no supplementation from week -4 to 17 (N = 844), but only slightly higher than the median plasma folate of supplementation in weeks 13-17 (N = 1158). Reported supplementation before week 8 was not associated with plasma folate at week 18. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Omega-3 fatty acids intake during gestation and lactation may modify development of the newborn digestive system and have a positive correlation with a lowered risk for allergies. In this study, researchers demonstrated that supplementation of the maternal diet with a fatty acid (18:3 n-3) modified intestinal permeability via the enteric nervous system of newborn piglets. Sows received a control diet of lard or a linseed based (n-3PUFA) during lactation and gestation. Assessments of the newborn intestinal systems were made at birth, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 postnatal days (PND). Basal jejunal permeability increased significantly in both groups until PND14, and decreased thereafter, however at PND28 permeability was higher in n-3PUFA animals as opposed to those in the control group. This has implications for immune system development and allergic response since high permeability in the intestines is required to educate the immune system and produce antibodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]