Aurora magazine

The microbiota is the set of bacteria that live inside the human intestine. It is an essential community for the proper functioning of the organ and therefore for the well-being of the individual. According to a study led by Dr. Sara Lundgren, feeding during pregnancy could influence the microbiota of the unborn child.

The team of Dr. Lundgren analyzed the composition of the microbiota of 97 children, all born with natural childbirth. They identified the following average bacterial composition:

• 20% enterobatteriacee
• 18.6% bifidobacteria
• 10.44% bacteroids
• 8.10% streptococci

The authors identified three different clusters of microbes in the intestinal bacterial composition. In group 1 there was an abundance of bifidobacteria; in group 2, streptococci and clostridium prevailed; in group 3 there were mostly bacteroids. The intestinal bacterial composition was different in 48 children born by cesarean section. In the latter group 1 showed abundance of bifidobacteria; group 2 was characterized by high levels of clostride and low streptococci; in 3 abounded enterobacteriaceae.

According to the authors of the study, some differences may have also been influenced by the diet of mothers during gestation. In naturally born children, the chances of returning to group 2 increased by 2.73 times for each portion of fruit consumed daily by the mother. In contrast, bifidobacteria levels were very high in children born by caesarean from mothers who consumed so much red meat.

Source: biomedcentral.com

In in vitro fertilization (IVF), the implantation of fresh embryos often results in children younger than the average. In contrast, the implantation of frozen embryos ends with children a little heavier than the average. A study suggests a possible cause. In vitro fertilization (IVF) acts on regions of genes that regulate embryonic growth. The effects would depend on genetic variations inherited from the parents.

Researchers at the University of Helsinki examined how IVF alters embryonic growth. They recruited 86 couples undergoing in vitro fertilization and 157 couples with natural pregnancies. They divided the first group into two subgroups: those who used fresh embryos and those who used frozen embryos.

In genetic analysis, scientists focused on the regulatory regions of two growth genes: IGF-2 and H19. Variations in these genes in parents have been associated with different epigenetic markers in children. The researchers then observed epigenetic markers in the placenta, dividing them into groups based on the genotype inherited from the parents.

At a later stage, the researchers compared data such as placental weight, birth weight, type of IVF procedure used, and inherited genotype. They noted that infants with a certain genotype and derived from the transfer of frozen embryos were much heavier than the average.
The observations are based on studies on prenatal alcohol exposure, for example. In fact, highlight how embryonic development is influenced by both genetics and environmental factors.

Source: helsinki.fi/en

Binges during pregnancy can have serious consequences for the health of mother and child. Yet, a study published in "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" has shown how surprisingly common they are. About 36% of women have admitted they have been binged at least once in pregnancy. Almost 5% admitted to having done so frequently.

Several previous studies had investigated the incidence of anorexia and bulimia during gestation. Few of these had considered binge eating or loss of control over eating. The expression indicates the episodes in which you continue to eat although you are willing to stop.

Scholars analyzed data from over 11,000 British women. Data showed that 36% of women lost control of eating at least once during gestation. The phenomenon was found frequent only in 5% of women, however. The latter acquired around 3.5 kg more than the average. In addition, their children have shown twice the chances of becoming obese before the age of 15.

The study linked pregnant binges to lower levels of B1 and folic acid. Many of the women affected by the phenomenon have in fact reported a greater consumption of sweets and fats. This means that they have acquired more calories than necessary but fewer vitamins A, C and B6.

The study does not say exactly how pregnancy binges are related to childhood obesity. The connection seems to be there anyway. Identifying women who hold such behaviors, therefore, could help them and their children get better.

Source: theconversation.com

Two months of stress are enough to reduce the quality of the sperm. This is suggested by an Israeli study conducted on 11,000 semen samples. According to the researchers, stress increases the risk of slow sperm by 47%. This affects male fertility and in some cases even prevents children.

The researchers analyzed 10,535 samples collected between 2009 and 2017, in relatively stress-free periods for the country. They compared them with 659 samples taken in the two months following military clashes between Israel and Hamas in 2014. The average age of men was 32, the average age of the first child in the United Kingdom.

The results showed how stress is relevant to male fertility. 37% of the samples collected during the conflicts showed reduced motility. This means that in the long run, stress can affect male fertility semi-permanently.

The study focused on men who lived in areas of military conflict. Nevertheless, according to the researchers, the study applies to all types of stress. The results would then be valid also for those who have lost their jobs, suffered a mourning or experienced a traumatic event. Whatever causes mental stress, it would be detrimental to fertility.

It is clear that mental health has a strong impact on fertility, in the same way as other lifestyle factors. Unfortunately, research in this regard is low, so it is not known for sure how mental stress acts on spermatozoa.

Source: news-medical.net