The effect of maternal sodium ρ-perfluorous nonenoxybenzene sulfonate exposure on the gut microbiota in dams and offspring

Sodium ρ-perfluorous nonenoxybenzene sulfonate (OBS) is increasingly used as an effective perfluoroalkyl/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) alternative across multiple industries. This study involves exposing pregnant C57BL/6 mice to OBS at concentrations of 0, 0.5, and 5.0 mg/L via drinking water during gestation and lactation. The investigation focused on analyzing gut microbiota in both dams and offspring after maternal OBS exposure. Results highlighted notable changes in the gut microbiota composition within the colonic content of both dams and offspring, the Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, α-Proteobacteria and β-Proteobacteria decreased significantly in dams. After maternal OBS exposure, Actinobacteria increased in F₁-20 d male mice, while α-Proteobacteria decreased; Bacteroidetes increased, and Firmicutes and α-Proteobacteria decreased in F₁-20 d female mice. In F₁-8 w mice, Firmicutes increased and β-Proteobacteria decreased in male, while Bacteroidetes and β-Proteobacteria decreased in female. High-throughput sequencing confirmed that sodium ρ-perfluorous nonenoxybenzene sulfonate significantly altered gut microbiota patterns in both dams and offspring. Biomarkers in dams and offspring varied after maternal OBS exposure, and differences were noticeable across genders and developmental stages. In dams, the abundance of Desulfobacterota and Peptococcaceae decreased, the abundance of RF39 and Lachnospiraceae increased. Additionally, Verrucomimicrobiota, Patescibacteria, Actinobacteriota, and Cyanobacteria at the phylum level showed significant differences between dams and offspring, while Verrucomimicrobiota and Patescibacteria differed in male and female offspring. Furthermore, functional predictions indicated shifts in metabolic pathways in both generations after maternal OBS exposure. In a word, maternal OBS exposure disrupted gut microbiota and altered the metabolism processes in dams and offspring, offering insights into potential health risks associated with maternal OBS exposure.