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The interplay between PCOS pathology and diet on gut microbiota in a mouse model
Valentina Rodriguez Paris1, Xin Yi Denise Wong2, Samantha M Solon-Biet3
1a Fertility & Research Centre, School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Gut Microbes
|July 5, 2022
Summary
Diet significantly impacts gut microbiota diversity in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) models. While diet influences microbial composition more than PCOS, the condition alters gut bacteria, though fecal transplants did not resolve PCOS traits.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic disorders
Background:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) involves reproductive, endocrine, and metabolic issues.
- PCOS is linked to reduced gut microbial diversity and altered composition.
- Dietary macronutrients regulate gut microbiome balance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction between macronutrient balance and PCOS on the gut microbiome.
- To assess the impact of diet composition on gut microbiota in PCOS-like mice.
- To explore the role of the gut microbiome in PCOS trait development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced PCOS-like mouse model.
- Exposed control and PCOS-like mice to diets varying in protein, carbohydrate, and fat.
- Analyzed gut microbiota alpha (α) and beta (β) diversity.
- Performed fecal microbiota transplantation from control to PCOS-like mice.
Main Results:
- Dietary macronutrient composition significantly altered gut microbiota diversity (α and β) in both groups.
- PCOS pathology significantly impacted β-diversity but not α-diversity within the same diet.
- A specific operational taxonomic unit (OTU) within *Bacteroides*, related to *Bacteroides acidifaciens*, was decreased in PCOS-like mice.
- Fecal microbiota transplantation shifted the PCOS gut microbiome but did not ameliorate PCOS traits.
Conclusions:
- Diet has a stronger influence on gut microbiota diversity than PCOS pathology.
- PCOS pathology significantly affects overall gut microbiota composition.
- The gut microbiome may play a role in PCOS, but it is not the sole driver of PCOS traits.
