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 investigates the impact of prenatal and postnatal environments on the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and gut microbiota changes in mice. Using a cross-fostering model, researchers found that female offspring exposed to prenatal androgens but fostered by normal dams showed less severe PCOS-like phenotypes, particularly in metabolic aspects, compared to those not cross-fostered. The gut microbiota of these fostered offspring resembled controls before adolescence but diverged after young adulthood. The findings suggest that both prenatal androgen exposure and the postnatal environment significantly influence the development of PCOS-like traits and gut microbiota alterations, highlighting both as potential targets for PCOS prevention.