Impact of maternal <i>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</i> S58 supplementation on offspring rat immunity and gut health

Pregnancy and lactation provide several opportunities for maternal dietary interventions to confer health benefits to newborns. However, the effects of maternal probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and lactation on offspring immunity and intestinal health remain largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of supplementation with the probiotic <i>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</i> S58 (LP.S58) during pregnancy and lactation on the intestinal health and immunity of rat offspring. The results demonstrated that LP.S58 was effectively transmitted to the gastrointestinal tissues of offspring rats following maternal supplementation during pregnancy, lactation, or both, without affecting the normal development of individual organs. Furthermore, maternal LP.S58 supplementation significantly increased the serum levels of IL-4, IL-10, SOD, and T-AOC, while reducing those of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, LPS, and NOS in the offspring. Additionally, it upregulated the mRNA expression of tight junction proteins and downregulated pro-inflammatory factors in the offspring rats, thereby improving intestinal health. More importantly, LP.S58 supplementation significantly increased the levels of beneficial gut bacteria, including <i>Akkermansia</i> and <i>Lactobacillus</i>, in the offspring rats. In conclusion, these findings indicate that maternal supplementation with specific probiotics during pregnancy and lactation may positively influence the immune function and intestinal development of offspring.