Sex-specific modulation of the gut microbiome and behavior in Siberian hamsters

Sylvia, Kristyn E.; Jewell, Cathleen P; Rendon, Nikki M.; John, Emma A. St.; Demas, Gregory E.

doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2016.10.023

Cited by 63 publications

(74 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…For example, in Siberian hamsters, treatment with a broad-spectrum antibiotic not only affects faecal microbial communities in both sexes, but there is a strong sex difference in the behavioural response to treatment. Specifically, two, but not one, antibiotic treatment is associated with marked decreases in aggressive behaviour in males, but in females, there is a decrease in aggression after only a single treatment [36]. Further, Neufeld and colleagues showed that GF Swiss Webster mice exhibit decreased anxiety-like behaviour in the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) (e.g., increased time spent in the open arm), which was accompanied by increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and decreased serotonin receptor 1A (5HT1A) expression in the hippocampus compared to SPF mice [49].…”

Section: Effect Of the Microbiota On Sex-specific Behaviour In Rodentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The microgenderome revealed: sex differences in bidirectional interactions between the microbiota, hormones, immunity and disease susceptibility

et al. 2018

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Sex differences in immunity are well described in the literature and thought to be mainly driven by sex hormones and sex-linked immune response genes. The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is one of the largest immune organs in the body and contains multiple immune cells in the GIT-associated lymphoid tissue, Peyer’s patches and elsewhere, which together have profound effects on local and systemic inflammation. The GIT is colonised with microbial communities composed of bacteria, fungi and viruses, collectively known as the GIT microbiota. The GIT microbiota drives multiple interactions locally with immune cells that regulate the homeostatic environment and systemically in diverse tissues. It is becoming evident that the microbiota differs between the sexes, both in animal models and in humans, and these sex differences often lead to sex-dependent changes in local GIT inflammation, systemic immunity and susceptibility to a range of inflammatory diseases. The sexually dimorphic microbiome has been termed the ‘microgenderome’. Herein, we review the evidence for the microgenderome and contemplate the role it plays in driving sex differences in immunity and disease susceptibility. We further consider the impact that biological sex might play in the response to treatments aimed at manipulating the GIT microbiota, such as prebiotics, live biotherapeutics, (probiotics, synbiotics and bacteriotherapies) and faecal microbial transplant. These alternative therapies hold potential in the treatment of both psychological (e.g., anxiety, depression) and physiological (e.g., irritable bowel disease) disorders differentially affecting males and females.

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Section: Effect Of the Microbiota On Sex-specific Behaviour In Rodentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The microgenderome revealed: sex differences in bidirectional interactions between the microbiota, hormones, immunity and disease susceptibility

et al. 2018

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“…As they assemble into different compositions, host-associated communities can modify female and male host quality differently, causing the communities to diverge further in species composition. To date, however, only a small number of cases have been documented, with a nearly exclusive focus on medically relevant animal hosts (Fierer et al 2008, Markle et al 2013, Cong et al 2016, Sylvia et al 2017, Suzuki et al 2017, but see Golonka and Vilgalys 2013, Petry et al 2013, Wei and Ashman 2018. Furthermore, this line of research has often focused on a specific group of organisms, often pathogens ( Agren et al 1999), rather than taking a broader look at communities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community‐wide consequences of sexual dimorphism: evidence from nectar microbes in dioecious plants

Tsuji

Fukami

2018

Ecology

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Intraspecific trait variation is receiving renewed interest as a factor affecting the structure of multi-species communities within and across trophic levels. One pervasive form of intraspecific trait variation is sexual dimorphism in animals and plants, which might exert large effects particularly on the communities of host-associated organisms, but the extent of these effects is not well understood. We investigated whether host-associated microbial communities developed differently in the floral nectar of female and male individuals of the dioecious shrubs, Eurya emarginata and E. japonica. We found that nectar-colonizing microbes such as bacteria and fungi were more than twice as prevalent and, overall, more than 10 times as abundant in male flowers as in female flowers. Microbial species composition also differed between flower sexes. To examine potential mechanisms behind these differences, we manipulated the frequency of flower visitation by animals and the order of arrival of microbial species to nectar. Animal visitation frequency affected microbial communities more greatly in male flowers, while arrival order affected them more in female flowers. These sex-specific effects appeared attributable to differences in how animals and microbes altered the chemical characteristics of nectar that limited microbial growth. Taken together, our results provide evidence that sexual dimorphism can have large effects on the structure of host-associated communities.

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“…The effect did not persist after withdrawal of the ABX treatment. On the contrary, the investigative behavior was not changed by enrofloxacin treatment in hamsters (Sylvia et al, ).…”

Section: Bottom Up Approach: What Do We Learn From Bacterial Intervenmentioning

confidence: 99%

Searching for the gut microbial contributing factors to social behavior in rodent models of autism spectrum disorder

Needham

Tang

2018

Developmental Neurobiology

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Social impairment is one of the major symptoms in multiple psychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Accumulated studies indicate a crucial role for the gut microbiota in social development, but these mechanisms remain unclear. This review focuses on two strategies adopted to elucidate the complicated relationship between gut bacteria and host social behavior. In a top-down approach, researchers have attempted to correlate behavioral abnormalities with altered gut microbial profiles in rodent models of ASD, including BTBR mice, maternal immune activation (MIA), maternal valproic acid (VPA) and maternal high-fat diet (MHFD) offspring. In a bottom-up approach, researchers use germ-free (GF) animals, antibiotics, probiotics or pathogens to manipulate the intestinal environment and ascertain effects on social behavior. The combination of both approaches will hopefully pinpoint specific bacterial communities that control host social behavior. Further discussion of how brain development and circuitry is impacted by depletion of gut microbiota is also included. The converging evidence strongly suggests that gut microbes affect host social behavior through the alteration of brain neural circuits. Investigation of intestinal microbiota and host social behavior will unveil any bidirectional communication between the gut and brain and provide alternative therapeutic targets for ASD.

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Sex-specific modulation of the gut microbiome and behavior in Siberian hamsters

Cited by 63 publications

References 47 publications

The microgenderome revealed: sex differences in bidirectional interactions between the microbiota, hormones, immunity and disease susceptibility

The microgenderome revealed: sex differences in bidirectional interactions between the microbiota, hormones, immunity and disease susceptibility

Community‐wide consequences of sexual dimorphism: evidence from nectar microbes in dioecious plants

Searching for the gut microbial contributing factors to social behavior in rodent models of autism spectrum disorder

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