Fecal microbiota transplantation from patients with polycystic ovary syndrome induces metabolic disorders and ovarian dysfunction in germ-free mice

Dysbiosis of the microbiome is a key hallmark of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the interaction between the host and microbiome and its relevance to the pathogenesis of PCOS remain unclear.

To evaluate the role of the commensal gut microbiome in PCOS, we gavaged germ-free mice with the fecal microbiota from patients with PCOS or healthy individuals and evaluated the reproductive endocrine features of the recipient mice.

Mice transplanted with fecal microbiota from PCOS patients and those transplanted from healthy controls presented different bacterial profiles and reproductive endocrine features. The fecal microbiota of the mice in the PCOS group was enriched in Phocaeicola, Mediterraneibacter, Oscillospiraceae, Lawsonibacter and Rikenellaceae. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from PCOS patients induced increased disruption of ovarian functions, lipo-metabolic disturbance, insulin resistance and an obese-like phenotype in recipient mice.

Our findings suggest that the microbiome may govern the set point of PCOS-bearing individuals and that gut ecosystem manipulation may be a useful marker and target for the management of PCOS.