World J Mens Health.
2020 Jan;38(1):48-60. 10.5534/wjmh.190009.
Sex Differences in Gut Microbiota
- Affiliations
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- 1Digestive Disease Research Institute and Department of Gastroenterology, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Korea. wms89@hanmail.net
- 2Division of Microbiome Research, VOWLIFE R&D Center, Iksan, Korea.
- 3Subtropical/Tropical Organism Gene Bank, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea.
- 4Faculty of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, SARI, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea.
- 5ChunLab, Inc., Seoul, Korea.
- 6Institute for Metabolic Disease, School of Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Korea.
- KMID: 2465409
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.5534/wjmh.190009
Abstract
- Humans carry numerous symbiotic microorganisms in their body, most of which are present in the gut. Although recent technological advances have produced extensive research data on gut microbiota, there are various confounding factors (e.g., diet, race, medications) to consider. Sex is one of the important variables affecting the gut microbiota, but the association has not yet been sufficiently investigated. Although the results are inconsistent, several animal and human studies have shown sex differences in gut microbiota. Herein, we review these studies to discuss the sex-dependent differences as well as the possible mechanisms involved.
