Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 29, 2026
10:12
Characterization and Functional Prediction of Bacteria in Ovarian Tissues
Published on: October 23, 2021
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The causality between gut microbiota and ectopic pregnancy based on genome-wide association: A Mendelian
Ning Zhang1,2, Zhige Wang2, Feixiang Yang2,3
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.
African Journal of Reproductive Health
|April 28, 2026
Summary
This study reveals nine gut microbiotas causally linked to ectopic pregnancy risk, with 67 plasma proteins also impacting risk. Specific microbial pathways mediate ectopic pregnancy through plasma protein signatures.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Microbiome Research
- Proteomics
Background:
- Ectopic pregnancy is a common gynecological emergency with unclear causes.
- The link between gut microbiota, plasma proteins, and ectopic pregnancy is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and ectopic pregnancy.
- To explore the mediating role of plasma proteins in this association.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Gut Microbiota GWAS data from the Dutch Microbiome Project.
- Analyzed Ectopic Pregnancy data from IEU OpenGWAS and FinnGen projects.
- Employed Mendelian randomization and mediation analyses.
Main Results:
- Identified nine gut microbial species with a causal impact on ectopic pregnancy risk.
- Found 67 plasma proteins causally associated with ectopic pregnancy.
- Discovered that three gut microbiotas mediate ectopic pregnancy risk through 25 plasma proteins, notably L.rhamnose.degradation.I via 22 proteins.
Conclusions:
- Establishes direct causal links between specific gut microbial pathways and ectopic pregnancy.
- Highlights plasma protein signatures as mediators in the gut microbiota-ectopic pregnancy axis.
- Suggests potential targets for clinical intervention and future research in ectopic pregnancy management.
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