EVOLUTION OF RESIDENT ORAL BACTERIAL BIOTA IN BALB C MICE DURING PREGNANCY AND LACTATION/

To assess the influence of pregnancy and lactation on the oral microbi al ecology of BALB/c mice, we followed the distribution of the predomi nant oral bacteria of four groups of these mice during these two perio ds. Compared with nonpregnant control female mice of the same age main tained under the same conditions, the distribution of the resident ora l bacterial species differed significantly only during the lactation p eriod (8-16 days after parturition). This difference could possibly be attributed to hormonal influences and/or grooming habits.