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DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2012.02.007
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DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2011.12.087
Elsevier, Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 1(94), p. 48
DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2012.03.325
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Nondigestible oligosaccharides can positively influence health via various mechanisms. During pregnancy, supplementation of nondigestible oligosaccharides has positive effects on hypertension and metabolism and may be used to ameliorate pregnancy-related metabolic disturbances. In the nonpregnant state, nondigestible oligosaccharides have been shown to induce a tolerogenic immune response mediated by T-regulatory cells. Since relatively little is known about the effects of nondigestible oligosaccharides on the immune system during pregnancy, pregnant mice were supplemented with a specific mixture of short-chain galacto- and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS; ratio 9:1). Systemic and local immune parameters were analyzed on day 18 of pregnancy. This study shows that, compared with virgin mice, scGOS/lcFOS supplementation appears to elicit a more tolerogenic immune reaction in pregnant mice and supplementation does not increase the Th1-dependent delayed type hypersensitivity response in pregnant mice as it does in virgin mice.