Contents lists available at ScienceDirect PharmaNutrition journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/phanu Maternal supplementation with Lactobacillus paracasei DTA 83 alters emotional behavior in Swiss mice offspring Roberto Laureano-Melo a, ⁎ , Rodrigo Fernandes Caldeira b , André Fioravante Guerra b , Rodrigo Rodrigues da Conceição c , Janaína Sena de Souza c , Gisele Giannocco c , Bruno Guimarães Marinho a , Rosa Helena Luchese b , Wellington Silva Côrtes a a Multicenter Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Health and Biological Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropedica, Brazil b Graduate Program in Food Science and Technology, Department of Food Technology, Institute of Technology, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropedica, Brazil c Molecular and Translational Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil ARTICLE INFO Keywords: Lactobacillus Maternal supplementation Offspring Anxiety ABSTRACT The objective of our study was to evaluate whether maternal supplementation with lactic acid bacteria is able to alter neurobehavioral parameters of Swiss mice offspring. For this purpose, female mice were treated during pregnancy and lactation with milk or milk inoculated with L. paracasei DTA 83 at a concentration of 10 7 cells/ml (p.o, daily). After the end of the treatment, 6 offspring per group were submitted to euthanasia and the hip- pocampus was dissected for RNA analysis. After completing 70 days of life, 12 male offspring per group were submitted to a battery of behavioral tests. According to our results, treated offspring had a reduction in the expression of GAD 65, GAD 67 and GABA A receptor α3 subunit in the hippocampus. In the adult phase, the offspring of the treated group had higher time in the central area in the open field test, lower latency to the light side in the light-dark box test and lower number of decision-making behaviors in the elevated plus maze test. These results indicate that maternal supplementation with L. paracasei DTA 83 modulates offspring hippocampal GABAergic system. Such changes could possibly be associated with the reduction of anxiety-like behavior upon reaching adulthood. 1. Introduction According to studies published by epidemiologist David Barker, the prevalence of some diseases in adulthood presents a considerable cor- relation with homeostatic disruption still during the fetal phase. In fact, some insults could promote structural and functional changes in the fetus, which could subsequently lead to long-term disease. This process is known as fetal programming [1,2]. In this context, one of the main environmental factors that affect fetal health is the maternal micro- biome [3]. Until recently, it was believed that the fetus was completely sterile of bacteria. However, new evidences have suggested that microbial colonization of the fetus begins even before birth [4]. Surprisingly, microorganisms were already isolated from the placenta, umbilical cord and amniotic fluids [5]. Birth is the first opportunity for microbial ex- posure outside the uterus. During this process, infant microbiota is strongly dependent on the delivery type. In vaginal deliveries, new- borns are colonized by microorganisms that are very similar to ma- ternal vaginal populations. On the other hand, skin bacteria coloniza- tion is more common in infants born by cesarean section [6]. This initial exposure to such distinct microbial populations has long-term con- sequences to newborn health [7]. Based on this assumption, probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host [8]. In this context, maternal probiotic supplementation during and after pregnancy prevents pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and vaginal infections [9]. Perinatal administration of probiotics also pre- vents eczema, food allergy, asthma, respiratory and intestinal tract https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phanu.2019.100148 Received 21 January 2019; Received in revised form 7 April 2019; Accepted 10 April 2019 Abbreviations: GABA, gamma-aminobutyric acid; GAD, glutamic acid decarboxylase; 5-HT, serotonin; TPH2, tryptophan hydroxylase; TH, tyrosine hydroxylase; BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor ⁎ Corresponding author at: Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro: BR 465, Km 7, 23897-000, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil. E-mail addresses: laureanomelor@gmail.com, laureanomelor@ufrrj.br (R. Laureano-Melo). PharmaNutrition 8 (2019) 100148 Available online 12 April 2019 2213-4344/ © 2019 Published by Elsevier B.V. T