The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology

How Gut Microbes and Their Chemicals Influence Reproductive Health, Disease, and Treatment

Updated

Abstract

The human microbiome may influence reproductive health through the Microbiome-Gut-Gonad Axis by producing bioactive metabolites.

  • Specific microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, can modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, affecting reproductive functions.
  • Butyrate may regulate steroidogenic enzymes through epigenetic mechanisms.
  • Certain bacteria can influence the enterohepatic circulation of estrogens, impacting hormonal balance.
  • Tryptophan metabolites may impact ovarian and testicular function by acting as ligands for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor.
  • Dysbiosis may lead to metabolite shifts associated with conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, and male infertility.
  • Microbial metabolite signatures could serve as candidate biomarkers for reproductive endocrine disorders, pending further validation.

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Full Text

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Funding

Competing interests

Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest related to this work. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The authors are committed to transparency and integrity in scientific research and affirm that the content of this manuscript is solely based on academic and scientific inquiry.
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