Animal models for assessing impact of C-section delivery on biological systems

Sílvia Cabré; Anna Ratsika; Kieran Rea; Catherine Stanton; John F Cryan

doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104555

Animal models for assessing impact of C-section delivery on biological systems

Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2022 Apr:135:104555. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104555. Epub 2022 Feb 2.

Authors

Sílvia Cabré¹, Anna Ratsika¹, Kieran Rea², Catherine Stanton³, John F Cryan⁴

Affiliations

¹ APC Microbiome Ireland, Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork T12 YT20, Ireland; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork T12 YT20, Ireland.
² APC Microbiome Ireland, Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork T12 YT20, Ireland.
³ APC Microbiome Ireland, Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork T12 YT20, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioural Science, University College Cork, Cork T12 YT20, Ireland; Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy P61 C996, Ireland.
⁴ APC Microbiome Ireland, Biosciences Institute, University College Cork, Cork T12 YT20, Ireland; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork T12 YT20, Ireland. Electronic address: j.cryan@ucc.ie.

PMID: 35122781
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104555

Abstract

There has been a significant increase in Caesarean section (C-section) births worldwide over the past two decades and although it can be a life-saving procedure, the enduring effects on host physiology are now undergoing further scrutiny. Indeed, epidemiological data have linked C-section birth with multiple immune, metabolic and neuropsychiatric diseases. Birth by C-section is known to alter the colonisation of the neonatal gut microbiota (with C-section delivered infants lacking vaginal microbiota associated with passing along the birth canal), which in turn can impact the development and maintenance of many important biological systems. Appropriate animal models are key to disentangling the role of missing microbes in brain health and disease in C-section births. In this review of preclinical studies, we interrogate the effects of C-section birth on the development (and maintenance) of several biological systems and we discuss the involvement of the gut microbiome on C-section-related alterations.

Keywords: Animal models; Caesarian section; Gut microbiota; Microbiota-gut-brain axis; Mode of birth.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Cesarean Section
Delivery, Obstetric
Female
Gastrointestinal Microbiome* / physiology
Humans
Microbiota*
Models, Animal
Pregnancy