Effects of the Prenatal and Postnatal Nurturing Environment on the Phenotype and Gut Microbiota of Mice with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Induced by Prenatal Androgen Exposure: A Cross-Fostering Study

This study examines the effects of prenatal androgen exposure and postnatal nurturing environments on the development of PCOS-like phenotypes and gut microbiota in mice. It found that both prenatal and postnatal environments significantly influence these developments. Prenatally androgenized (PNA) mice showed disrupted estrous cycles and altered gut microbiota, with fostering by control mothers reducing some metabolic and microbiota differences. The study involved 23 to 25 mice per group for phenotype assessments and 3 to 5 mice per group for microbiota analysis. The findings suggest that early-life interventions targeting gut microbiota may mitigate PCOS phenotypes, although prenatal exposure remains a significant factor.