Gut microbiota restructured by social isolation: Evidence for sex-specific response patterns

Both post-weaning social isolation and gut microbiota community structure have been independently associated with physical and mental health outcomes. However, sex differences are often overlooked in biology, medicine, and healthcare, leading to incomplete or biased research outcomes, medical interventions, and drug development. This study aimed to investigate the effects of post-weaning social isolation on gut microbiota community structure in young adult mice.

A preclinical post-weaning social isolation mouse model was employed. Twenty-four 21-day-old C57BL/6 mice randomly assigned into social-isolated and co-housed groups [n = (6 males + 6 females)/group]. Social isolation started on postnatal day 22 and ended on postnatal day 78. Fecal samples were collected on postnatal days 22 before isolation (baseline) and 78 (endpoint) to investigate changes of gut microbiota diversity, composition, and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. The 16S metataxonomic sequencing data were analyzed using Mothur pipeline and R packages.

Our results indicated sex-related microbiota response patterns to post-weaning social isolation. All the significant changes in bacterial genera were observed exclusively in females, including Akkermansia, a sex hormone-responsive genus that supports butyrate production, Oscillibacter, a known butyrate producer, and Parasutterella, a proinflammatory and succinate-producing genus. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio decreased in males mainly due to reduced Firmicutes and increased in females primarily due to reduced Bacteroidetes.

Our findings highlight sex differences in gut microbiota responses to post-weaning social isolation, with particularly pronounced effects in females. These results provide a foundation for exploring how the gut microbiota integrates social environmental signals to influence health outcomes. As a preclinical, observational study, our findings may suggest preliminary insights for future translational research aimed at understanding women's health.