A two-sample mendelian randomization analysis investigates associations between gut microbiota and infertility Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
I am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
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Women’s Health
Women’s Health
Women’s health, a vital aspect of medical science, encompasses various conditions unique to women’s physiological makeup. Historically, women were often excluded from clinical research, leading to a gap in understanding the intricacies of women’s health needs. However, recent advancements have highlighted the significant role that the microbiome plays in these conditions, offering new insights and potential therapies. MicrobiomeSignatures.com is at the forefront of exploring the microbiome signature of each of these conditions to unravel the etiology of these diseases and develop targeted microbiome therapies.
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Infertility
Infertility
Infertility is the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected sex. It affects both men and women and can be due to various physical, hormonal, or genetic factors. Treatments include medication, surgery, assisted reproductive technologies, and lifestyle changes.
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Female Infertility
Female Infertility
Female infertility is a multifactorial condition affecting 10-15% of women of reproductive age, often caused by underlying conditions like Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), PCOS, Endometriosis, and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Microbiome-targeted interventions (MBTIs) offer a promising approach to restoring balance, improving fertility outcomes, and addressing root causes.
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Divine Aleru
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was studied?
This study utilized a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the causal relationships between gut microbiota composition and infertility in males and females. Genetic variants associated with specific gut microbiota taxa served as instrumental variables (IVs) to assess their direct influence on the incidence of infertility. The researchers aimed to clarify whether variations in gut bacteria directly contribute to infertility or if these associations are merely correlational due to confounding factors or reverse causation.
Who was studied?
The study analyzed genetic data from the MiBioGen consortium, which included 18,340 participants across 24 international cohorts primarily from European descent. Infertility data came from the FinnGen consortium, with 994 male infertility cases and 100,050 controls, and 9,831 female infertility cases and 94,394 controls. The analysis excluded individuals with unclear sex, high genotype deficiency, excess heterozygosity, or non-Finnish ancestry.
What were the most important findings?
The MR analysis confirmed significant causal relationships between specific gut microbiota and infertility risks. For male infertility, five taxa (Bacteroidaceae, Bacteroides, Enterobacteriales, Romboutsia, Enterobacteriaceae) were associated with a reduced risk, whereas Allisonella genus increased infertility risk. For female infertility, beneficial associations (reduced risk) were found with multiple taxa, including Ruminococcus torques group, Desulfovibrio, Bifidobacterium, Family XIII AD3011 group, Ruminococcaceae NK4A214 group, Holdemania, Bifidobacteriales order, Actinobacteria phylum, Bifidobacteriaceae family, and Actinobacteria class. Conversely, Faecalibacterium was significantly linked to an increased risk of female infertility. The MR analysis was robust and well-supported by sensitivity tests, including Cochran Q and MR-PRESSO analyses, indicating reliable results free from major horizontal pleiotropy or heterogeneity.
What are the greatest implications of this study?
The study provides strong evidence that gut microbiota directly affects infertility risks in both males and females, highlighting potential microbiome-based targets for diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic interventions. For clinicians, these findings emphasize the importance of assessing gut microbiota composition when managing infertility. Identifying protective and harmful bacterial taxa offers actionable insights for developing personalized probiotic treatments, nutritional recommendations, and lifestyle modifications aimed at optimizing fertility outcomes.
Infertility
Infertility is the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected sex. It affects both men and women and can be due to various physical, hormonal, or genetic factors. Treatments include medication, surgery, assisted reproductive technologies, and lifestyle changes.
Female Infertility
Female infertility is a multifactorial condition affecting 10-15% of women of reproductive age, often caused by underlying conditions like Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), PCOS, Endometriosis, and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Microbiome-targeted interventions (MBTIs) offer a promising approach to restoring balance, improving fertility outcomes, and addressing root causes.