Grant: Doctoral Research Award: Priority Announcement - Infection and Immunity

During infancy, the gastrointestinal tract is colonized with microbiota, a community of microorganisms, which play a significant role in the development, regulation, and maintenance of immune functions. Fish oil, rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), are thought to be anti-inflammatory and consequently may increase susceptibility to infection by hindering their body's ability to produce an adequate inflammatory response in defense against infectious disease. Currently, women in Canada are supplementing their diets with n-3 PUFA during gestation and lactation despite their being conflicting clinical evidence regarding the beneficial effects on infant development. It is currently unknown how maternal fish oil supplementation impacts the offspring's gut microbiota and immune functions. Considering that diet influences microbiota and maternal microbiota is passed from mother to infant, we hypothesize that maternal fish oil supplementation will affect their offspring's gut microbiota and immunity. To approach this, we have completed a meta-analysis and systematic review summarizing clinical trials which have investigated the effects of maternal fish oil supplements on infant development and immune outcomes. In addition, the Gibson lab, has recruited 109 infants and mothers so I am able to evaluate the effects of postnatal n-3 PUFA supplementation in breast-milk on the fecal microbiome in infants. Finally, in collaboration with the McMaster Gnotobiotic facility, we will determine if the resulting microbiome from the infants born to mothers supplementing with fish oil, has an effect on immunity by transplanting the microbiota into germ-free mice, and examining responding immunity and susceptibility to enteric infectious disease agents like Citrobacter rodentium. This research could result in strategies to manage immune susceptibility by regulating maternal dietary intake during gestation and breastfeeding.