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Male castration increases adiposity via small intestinal microbial alterations
Tae Woong Whon1, Hyun Sik Kim1, Na-Ri Shin1
1Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Sciences and Department of Biology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
EMBO Reports
|November 23, 2020
Summary
Castration in cattle alters gut microbes, leading to metabolic changes and increased fat storage. Targeting gut microbiota may treat hypogonadism and obesity.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Microbiology
- Metabolomics
Background:
- Castration is common in cattle for meat quality, but its metabolic effects are unclear.
- The link between hypogonadism and host metabolism requires further investigation.
- Understanding these mechanisms can inform livestock management and human health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of castration on the gut microbiota and host metabolism in cattle.
- To identify the microbial and metabolic changes associated with hypogonadism.
- To explore the potential of gut microbiota as a therapeutic target.
Main Methods:
- Metataxonomic and metabolomic analyses of ileal microbiota and host metabolism in male, castrated male (CtM), and female cattle.
- Phenotyping of castrated male mice to model cattle findings.
- Antibiotic treatment and fecal microbiota transplantation in mice.
Main Results:
- Castrated male cattle exhibit distinct ileal microbiota (Peptostreptococcaceae-dominated) and altered amino acid profiles.
- Increased extra- and intramuscular fat storage observed in castrated male cattle.
- Gut microbial alterations in castrated mice mirrored cattle findings, contributing to an obese phenotype.
Conclusions:
- Hypogonadism induced by castration significantly alters the gut microbiota and host metabolism in cattle.
- Gut microbiota alterations are a key factor in the obese phenotype associated with hypogonadism.
- Targeting the gut microbiota presents a potential therapeutic strategy for hypogonadism and obesity.
