Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 12, 2026
10:51
Co-culture of Living Microbiome with Microengineered Human Intestinal Villi in a Gut-on-a-Chip Microfluidic Device
Published on: August 30, 2016
23.8K
Support for the microgenderome invites enquiry into sex differences
Amy Wallis1, Henry Butt2, Michelle Ball1
1a Psychology Department , Victoria University , Victoria , Australia.
Gut Microbes
|November 4, 2016
Summary
The microgenderome, involving microbiota, hormones, and immunity, shows sex differences in chronic fatigue syndrome. Future research should compare microbial function between sexes, even with similar microbial abundance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Immunology
- Sex differences in disease
Background:
- The microgenderome describes interactions between microbiota, sex hormones, and the immune system.
- Previous research suggested sex differences in microbiota-symptom associations in myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To expand on observed sex-specific patterns of microbiota-symptom associations in ME/CFS.
- To hypothesize interpretations related to microbial analysis levels and D-lactate theory.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of sex differences in microbiota-symptom associations within a clinical ME/CFS sample.
- Consideration of genus-level versus species-level microbial data.
- Hypothesizing based on D-lactate theory.
Main Results:
- Confirmed sex differences in the associations between specific microbiota and symptoms in ME/CFS patients.
- Highlighted the importance of sex as a biological variable in microbiome research.
Conclusions:
- Sex differences in microbiota-symptom links support the microgenderome concept.
- Future studies should investigate sex-based differences in microbial function, not just abundance.
- Integrating clinical, microbial, and metabolomic data is crucial for understanding the microbiome's role in health and disease.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Anatomy of the Intestines
89.3K
Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
89.3K
01:26Sexually Transmitted Infections
1.5K
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
1.5K
01:18Surface Membrane Barriers
3.2K
The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
3.2K
01:29Microbial Morphologies
4.6K
Bacterial and archaeal cells exhibit remarkable diversity in shape and structure, critical in their adaptability and functionality. Among bacteria, the most commonly observed shapes include cocci and bacilli. Cocci are spherical and may exist singly or in groupings such as pairs (diplococci), chains (streptococci), clusters (staphylococci), or tetrads. Bacilli, in contrast, are rod-shaped and can also occur as single cells, in pairs, or chains, depending on their environmental and genetic...
4.6K
01:29Types of Microorganisms
3.3K
Microorganisms are a diverse group of microscopic entities broadly categorized into cellular and acellular types based on their structural organization. Cellular microorganisms include bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoa, and algae, while acellular microorganisms are represented by viruses.Cellular MicroorganismsBacteriaBacteria, tiny prokaryotic organisms, exhibit fascinating shapes such as rods, spheres, and spirals. They adapt to diverse habitats, including soil, water, and human-associated...
3.3K
01:24Bacterial Phylum Tenericutes
565
The phylum Tenericutes, which includes the single class Mollicutes, comprises bacteria that lack cell walls. The term "Mollicutes" derives from the Latin word mollis, meaning "soft." These organisms are among the smallest known and are commonly referred to as mycoplasmas due to the prominence of the genus Mycoplasma, which includes well-known human pathogens. Despite their inability to stain gram-positively (a result of their lack of cell walls), mycoplasmas are phylogenetically related to the...
565