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Review
. 2021 Jan-Dec;13(1):1-21.
doi: 10.1080/19490976.2021.1894070.

The impact of the gut microbiota on the reproductive and metabolic endocrine system

Xinyu Qi  1   2 , Chuyu Yun  3 , Yanli Pang  1   2   4 , Jie Qiao  1   2   4   5   6
Affiliations
Review

The impact of the gut microbiota on the reproductive and metabolic endocrine system

Xinyu Qi et al. Gut Microbes. 2021 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

As the gut microbiota exerts various effects on the intestinal milieu which influences distant organs and pathways, it is considered to be a full-fledged endocrine organ. The microbiota plays a major role in the reproductive endocrine system throughout a woman's lifetime by interacting with estrogen, androgens, insulin, and other hormones. Imbalance of the gut microbiota composition can lead to several diseases and conditions, such as pregnancy complications, adverse pregnancy outcomes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and cancer; however, research on the mechanisms is limited. More effort should be concentrated on exploring the potential causes and underlying the mechanisms of microbiota-hormone-mediated disease, and providing novel therapeutic and preventive strategies.As the gut microbiota exerts various effects on the intestinal milieu which influences distant organs and pathways, it is considered to be a full-fledged endocrine organ. The microbiota plays a major role in the reproductive endocrine system throughout a woman's lifetime by interacting with estrogen, androgens, insulin, and other hormones. Imbalance of the gut microbiota composition can lead to several diseases and conditions, such as pregnancy complications, adverse pregnancy outcomes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and cancer; however, research on the mechanisms is limited. More effort should be concentrated on exploring the potential causes and underlying the mechanisms of microbiota-hormone-mediated disease, and providing novel therapeutic and preventive strategies.

Keywords: Gut microbiota; androgen; estrogen; insulin; reproductive endocrine.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The impact of gut microbiota and its metabolites on inter-organ crosstalk contributes to obesity and insulin resistance
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
The gut microbiota and its impact on the female reproductive tract, embryo development and pregnancy
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Key Scientific Instrument and Equipment Development Projects of China [2018YFC1003900]; National Key Scientific Instrument and Equipment Development Projects of China [2018YFC1003200]; National Natural Science Foundation of China [81730038]; Research Units of Comprehensive Diagnosis and Treatment of Oocyte Maturation Arrest [2019-I2M-5-001]; International Science and Technology Cooperation Programme (CN) [BYSYZD2019020]; Postdoctoral Research Foundation of China [2019M660367].