13 May 2019 --- A high-fat diet may contribute to the impairment of the gut barrier during pregnancy, which can lead to metabolic shifts and impede fetal development, according to a new mouse study published in The Journal of Physiology. Previously, scientists had assumed that the changes in metabolism during pregnancy were entirely attributed to pregnancy hormones. Findings from the new study, however, suggest that changes in the maternal gut microbiome may contribute to these metabolic changes. With this knowledge, researchers say there is a therapeutic opportunity to modify this microbial community during pregnancy to improve both maternal and offspring health.