Exploring the role of gut microbiome in male reproduction

Abstract

Background The impact of the gut microbiome on the organism has become a growing research focus with the development of 16S rRNA sequencing. However, the effect of the gut microbiome in male reproduction has yet to be investigated. Objective To overview on possible mechanisms by which the gut microbiome could affect male reproduction and therapeutic opportunities related to the gut microbiome Methods Authors searched PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for medical subject headings terms and free text words referred to “male infertility” “testis” “gut microbiome” “insulin resistance” “erectile dysfunction” “therapy” “sex hormones” and “genital diseases” until December 2, 2021. Results Evidence suggests that immune system activation caused by the gut microbiome translocation not only leads to testicular and epididymal inflammation but can also induce insulin resistance together with gastrointestinal hormones such as leptin and ghrelin, which in turn affects the secretion of various sex hormones such as LH, FSH, and T to regulate spermatogenesis. In addition, the gut microbiome can influence spermatogenesis by controlling and metabolizing androgens as well as affecting the blood–testis barrier. It also promotes vascular inflammation by raising trimethylamine‐N‐oxide (TMAO) levels in the blood, which causes erectile dysfunction. The testicular microbiome and gut microbiome can interact to influence male reproductive function. This study discusses therapeutic options such as probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation, as well as the challenges and opportunities behind ongoing research, and emphasizes the need for additional research in the future to demonstrate the links and underlying mechanisms between the gut microbiome and male reproduction. Therapeutic options such as probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation are potential treatments for male infertility. Discussion and conclusion Gut microbiota may have a causal role in male reproduction health, therapeutic strategies such as supplementation with appropriate probiotics could be undertaken as a complementary treatment. In the future, additional research is needed to demonstrate the links and underlying mechanisms between the gut microbiome and male reproduction.

Gut microbiota supports male reproduction via nutrition, immunity, and signaling

“…Bacterial translocation induced by abnormal intestinal permeability leads to oxidative stress, activates testicular LPS/TLR4, and transfers NF-κB and 10.3389/fmicb.2022.977574 mitogen-activated protein kinase to the nucleus through the MyD88 and TRAM pathways. This activates the innate immunity damaging testicular endothelium and the BTB (Wang and Xie, 2022).…”

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals, Gut Microbiota, and Human (In)Fertility—It Is Time to Consider the Triad

“…It has been suggested that a defective gut barrier function can end with the dissemination within the blood flow of microbial-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) such as lipopolysaccharide, lipoprotein acids, peptidoglycans, and lipoproteins into the testis and epididymis. Indeed, immune system activation, induced by GM translocation, leads to testicular and epididymal inflammation and, also, triggers insulin resistance together with gastrointestinal hormones which, in turn, affect the secretion of sex hormones [luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone (T)] and their role in the regulation of spermatogenesis [ 89 ].…”

“…This condition determines: (i) the activation of specialized receptors known as pattern recognition receptors which serve as MAMP sensors that recognize the essential microbial components and trigger an immune response; (ii) Langerhans islet inflammation; and (iii) gastrointestinal hormonal changes with insulin resistance and the alteration of LH, FSH, and free T levels [ 89 ].…”

The gut microbiome, health and personalised nutrition

“…[13][14][15][16] Male susceptibility to cardiometabolic disorders earlier in life makes adopting and implementing steps to optimise the gut microbiome important. Moreover, the impact the gut microbiome appears to have on male fertility and testosterone availability 17 may be a factor in the considerable decrease in male fertility in the past 50 years.…”