Sexual behavior Biodiversity of gut bacteria is associated with sexual behavior (Feb 2024, n=124) Establishment of a non-Westernized gut microbiota in men who have sex with men is associated with sexual practices

[Michael Harrop]

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-02-biodiversity-gut-bacteria-sexual-behavior.html
https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/fulltext/S2666-3791(24)00049-1

Highlights​

• Men who have sex with men (MSM) harbor a distinctive gut microbiota
• Dominant members include the Segatella copri complex and other Prevotellaceae species
• The MSM gut microbiome resembles that of non-Westernized populations
• Sexual practices are associated with a non-Westernized gut microbiome in MSM

Summary​

The human gut microbiota is influenced by various factors, including health status and environmental conditions, yet considerable inter-individual differences remain unexplained. Previous studies identified that the gut microbiota of men who have sex with men (MSM) is distinct from that of non-MSM.

Here, we reveal through species-level microbiota analysis using shotgun metagenomics that the gut microbiota of many MSM with Western origin resembles gut microbial communities of non-Westernized populations. Specifically, MSM gut microbiomes are frequently dominated by members of the Prevotellaceae family, including co-colonization of species from the Segatella copri complex and unknown Prevotellaceae members.

Questionnaire-based analysis exploring inter-individual differences in MSM links specific sexual practices to microbiota composition. Moreover, machine learning identifies microbial features associated with sexual activities in MSM.

Together, this study shows associations of sexual activities with gut microbiome alterations in MSM, which may have a large impact on population-based microbiota studies.

 

[high functioning autism]

Is there anyone on this forum who can read this study, understand it and determine if by changing the microbiome of an individual, their sexual preferences might change? I am not a scientist and so I have difficult understanding the studies posted. Thank you in advance.

 

[Michael Harrop]

if by changing the microbiome of an individual, their sexual preferences might change?

That may be possible but it's not indicated by this study. This study only shows a correlation. The key word is "association".