Effects of prenatal supplementation with probiotics on the development of experimental periodontitis in pregnant mice

Abstract Background This study assessed how prenatal probiotic (P) supplementation affected the development of experimental periodontitis (PE) in pregnant mice, as well as the anthropometric traits of the resulting fetuses and the placental and intestinal tissues of the mother. Methods Thirty‐two pregnant mice in all were divided into four groups ( n = 8): Experimental periodontitis (PE), Experimental Periodontitis + Probiotics (PEP), Control + Probiotics (CP), and control (C). The animals in the PE and PEP groups received gavage with Porphyromonas gingivalis w83 for 15 days following pregnancy confirmation. Beginning 14 days prior to the animals' mating date, Groups CP and PEP were given Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 until the day of euthanasia. On the 30th day of the experiment, all of the animals were sacrificed. Intestinal, periodontal, and placental tissues were gathered for immunoassay, microtomographic, and histomorphometric examinations. Results Groups C, CP, and PEP presented fetuses with higher weights compared to the PE group ( p < 0.05). Furthermore, The PE group showed smaller fetal size, a larger junctional zone in the placenta, a lower depth of intestinal crypts, and a lower bone volume when compared to all other experimental groups ( p < 0.05). In the immunoassay analysis, the PE group showed higher levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokine compared to C and CP groups. Additionally, the PEP group exhibited lower levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in gingival tissues (IL‐1β and TNF‐α) and placental tissues (IL‐1β) when compared to the PE group ( p < 0.05). Conclusion Probiotic supplementation in pregnant mice may attenuate the damage caused by PE to periodontal tissues, the placenta, intestines, and anthropometric characteristics of fetuses, as well as modulate the gingival and placental immunoinflammatory profile. Plain Language Summary This study investigated whether prenatal probiotics could protect pregnant mice and their fetuses from the harmful effects of periodontitis. Pregnant mice were divided into four groups based on whether they had gum disease, received probiotics, had both, or were in the control group. Periodontitis alone caused smaller, lighter fetuses, altered placentas, reduced jawbone volume, and thinner intestinal tissue. However, probiotic treatment improved these outcomes: fetuses were healthier, placentas and intestines showed less damage, and jawbones retained more bone. Probiotics also reduced inflammation in the gums and placenta. These results suggest that probiotics may help mitigate the negative effects of periodontitis during pregnancy, benefiting both the mother and the baby.