A disturbed communication between hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary axis and gut microbiota in female infertility: is diet to blame?

Publisher: BioMed Central Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101190741 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1479-5876 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 14795876 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Transl Med Subsets: MEDLINE

Original Publication: [London] : BioMed Central, 2003-

Gastrointestinal Microbiome* ; Infertility, Female*/microbiology ; Infertility, Female*/etiology ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System* ; Diet*; Humans ; Female ; Ovary/microbiology ; Brain-Gut Axis/physiology ; Animals

Female infertility is a multifactorial condition influenced by various genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Recent research has investigated the significant impact of gut microbiome dysbiosis on systemic inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and hormonal imbalances, which can potentially impair fertility. The gut-brain axis, a bidirectional communication system between the gut and the brain, also plays a significant role in regulating reproductive functions. Emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiome can influence brain functions and behavior, further emphasizing the importance of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in reproduction. Given their role as a major modulator of the gut microbiome, diet and dietary factors, including dietary patterns and nutrient intake, have been implicated in the development and management of female infertility. Hence, this review aims to highlight the impact of dietary patterns, such as the Western diet (WD) and Mediterranean diet (MD), and to decipher their modulatory action on the microbiota-gut-brain axis in infertile women. By contrasting the detrimental effects of WD with the therapeutic potential of MD, we emphasize the pivotal role of a balanced diet rich in nutrients in promoting a healthy gut microbiome. These insights underscore the potential of targeted dietary interventions and lifestyle modifications as promising strategies to enhance reproductive outcomes in subfertile women.
Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The author(s) declare no conflict of interest.
(© 2025. The Author(s).)

Erratum in: J Transl Med. 2025 Feb 17;23(1):194. doi: 10.1186/s12967-025-06160-8.. (PMID: 39962533)

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Keywords: Female infertility; Gut-Brain Axis; Hypothalamic-pituitary Axis; Mediterranean Diet; Microbiota; Western Diet

Date Created: 20250122 Date Completed: 20250122 Latest Revision: 20250218

20250218

PMC11749209

10.1186/s12967-025-06117-x

39838491