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Duodenal microbiome profiles exhibit sex-specific differences
Mohamad Rashid1, Gabriela Leite1, Gillian M Barlow1
1Medically Associated Science and Technology (MAST) Program, Cedars-Sinai, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Iscience
|July 28, 2026
Summary
The small bowel microbiome differs between males and females. Key genera and network structures vary, impacting metabolic pathways and potentially influencing sex-specific health and disease susceptibility.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Human Physiology
- Metagenomics
Background:
- Gut microbiome composition varies between sexes, as previously shown in stool samples.
- The small bowel microbiome is crucial for host metabolic and immune functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the duodenal lumenal microbiome composition between male and female subjects.
- To investigate sex-specific differences in microbial community structure and function in the small bowel.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of duodenal lumenal microbiome samples from male and female subjects.
- Identification of core microbiome differences and microbial network analysis.
- Prediction of microbial metabolic pathways based on community composition.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in core duodenal microbiome composition between sexes.
- Granulicatella was more prevalent in females; Leptotrichia was core only in males.
- Distinct microbial communities and network interconnectivity patterns observed in females versus males, associated with altered metabolic pathways.
Conclusions:
- The duodenal microbiome exhibits significant sex-based differences in composition and network structure.
- These sex-specific microbial variations may influence host metabolic functions, such as bile acid deconjugation and fructan biosynthesis.
- Understanding these differences is key to elucidating sex-specific variations in human health and disease.
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