Journal of ovarian researchNov 23, 2024

Changes in gut bacteria and their products linked to diet in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Circadian Biology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗OA ↗

Updated Mar 26, 2026

Abstract

Gut microbiota diversity and composition significantly differed between women with (PCOS) and healthy controls.

Healthy controls showed a higher abundance of specific bacteria that specialize in breaking down complex carbohydrates.
Women with PCOS had a less favorable dietary intake compared to healthy controls.
A significant correlation exists between gut microbiota composition and dietary glycemic load in women with PCOS (r = 0.314, P = 0.03).
Lower levels of and higher levels of acetic acid and propionic acid are independently associated with the diagnosis of PCOS.

Simplified

BACKGROUND: Disturbances in the gut microbiota may act as mechanisms influencing the interplay between dietary factors and metabolic disorders. Studies have demonstrated that these alterations are associated with the diagnosis of (PCOS). Within this context, we aimed to investigate associations between gut microbiota, gut-derived metabolites ( [SCFAs] and [IPA]), and dietary intake in women with PCOS.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 24 women with PCOS, previously recruited for two studies at our research center, compared with 14 age-matched healthy controls. The mean (SD) age of all 38 participants was 33.3 (7.5) years, and the mean (SD) body mass index was 29.5 (4.8) kg/m. Primary outcomes included gut microbiota analysis by sequencing the V4 region of the 16 S rRNA gene, serum IPA levels measured by liquid chromatography/triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-QqQ-MS), and fecal and plasma SCFA levels measured by LC-MS/MS. 2

RESULTS: Gut microbiota diversity, composition, and metabolic pathways differed between the PCOS and control groups. A higher abundance of two operational taxonomic units specializing in complex carbohydrate metabolism was observed in healthy control women. The PCOS group exhibited a less favorable dietary intake than the control group, and a significant correlation was observed between gut microbiota composition and dietary glycemic load in PCOS (r = 0.314, P = 0.03 in Mantel test). Multivariable-adjusted linear regression models indicated that lower levels of IPA and higher circulating levels of two SCFAs (acetic acid and propionic acid) were independently associated with the diagnosis of PCOS.

CONCLUSIONS: Our data support the differentiation between women with PCOS and healthy controls based on gut microbiota analysis. Furthermore, changes in gut bacteria and their metabolites could be, at least in part, the biological mechanism by which a low glycemic load diet may potentially improve PCOS-related reproductive and cardiometabolic outcomes.

Key numbers

77.5 ng/mL

Lower Level

concentration in women with vs. controls (129.5 ng/mL)

58.7 µm/g

Higher Propionic Acid Level

Fecal propionic acid levels in women with vs. controls (36.5 µm/g)

12%

Dietary Glycemic Load Correlation

Dietary GI's contribution to variation in participants with

Full Text

We can’t show the full text here under this license.

View Full Text ↗

Changes in gut bacteria and their products linked to diet in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Key numbers

Full Text

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

what lands in your inbox each week:

Recent issues from the circadian biology brief

Abstract

Key numbers

Full Text

Related papers

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

what lands in your inbox each week:

Recent issues from the circadian biology brief