Please support MinuteEarth on Patreon!: https://goo.gl/ZVgLQZ And subscribe! http://goo.gl/EpIDGd Thanks to all our Patreon supporters, who help make MinuteEarth possible, especially: Michael Hawkins (from Subbable) Murray Down (from Subbable) Herein we explain how pets can help your immune system, beginning when you're in utero! Created by Henry Reich Animation: Ever Salazar Production and Writing Team: Alex Reich, Peter Reich, Emily Elert Music: Nathaniel Schroeder: http://www.soundcloud.com/drschroeder MinuteEarth is available as a free iTunes podcast! - https://goo.gl/sfwS6n Facebook - http://facebook.com/minuteearth Twitter - http://twitter.com/MinuteEarth MinuteEarth provides an energetic and entertaining view of trends in earth's environment -- in just a few minutes! References Arbes Jr, S. J., Gergen, P. J., Elliott, L., & Zeldin, D. C. (2005). Prevalences of positive skin test responses to 10 common allergens in the US population: results from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 116(2), 377-383. Bisgaard, H., Li, N., Bonnelykke, K., Chawes, B. L. K., Skov, T., Paludan-Müller, G., ... & Krogfelt, K. A. (2011). Reduced diversity of the intestinal microbiota during infancy is associated with increased risk of allergic disease at school age. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 128(3), 646-652. Fujimura, K. E., Johnson, C. C., Ownby, D. R., Cox, M. J., Brodie, E. L., Havstad, S. L., ... & Lynch, S. V. (2010). Man's best friend? The effect of pet ownership on house dust microbial communities. The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, 126(2), 410. Gergen, P. J., Arbes Jr, S. J., Calatroni, A., Mitchell, H. E., & Zeldin, D. C. (2009). Total IgE levels and asthma prevalence in the US population: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2006. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 124(3), 447-453. Havstad, S., Wegienka, G., Zoratti, E. M., Lynch, S. V., Boushey, H. A., Nicholas, C., ... & Johnson, C. C. (2011). Effect of prenatal indoor pet exposure on the trajectory of total IgE levels in early childhood. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 128(4), 880-885. Jakobsson, H. E., Abrahamsson, T. R., Jenmalm, M. C., Harris, K., Quince, C., Jernberg, C., ... & Andersson, A. F. (2013). Decreased gut microbiota diversity, delayed Bacteroidetes colonisation and reduced Th1 responses in infants delivered by Caesarean section. Gut. Joseph, C. L., Ownby, D. R., Havstad, S. L., Woodcroft, K. J., Wegienka, G., MacKechnie, H., ... & Johnson, C. C. (2011). Early complementary feeding and risk of food sensitization in a birth cohort. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 127(5), 1203-1210. McNeill, G., Tagiyeva, N., Aucott, L., Russell, G., & Helms, P. J. (2009). Changes in the prevalence of asthma, eczema and hay fever in pre‐pubertal children: a 40‐year perspective. Paediatric and perinatal epidemiology, 23(6), 506-512. Smallwood, J., & Ownby, D. (2012). Exposure to dog allergens and subsequent allergic sensitization: an updated review. Current allergy and asthma reports,12(5), 424-428. Images Daniel Stockman: http://www.flickr.com/photos/evocateur/6365009983/ Carmen Rodriguez: http://www.flickr.com/photos/carmenherbs/11166111013/ 23am.com: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23am/3817278904/ Hernan Mojarro: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hmojarro/2517666578/ Din Muhammad Sumon: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dmsumon/6565661817/ Katherine/tintedglass: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tintedglass/3943681096/ Jerry Frausto: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gorefiendus/3432756019/