Circulating androgen regulation by androgen-catabolizing gut bacteria in male mouse gut

The study investigated the role of gut bacteria in regulating androgen levels in male mice, focusing on the betaproteobacterium <i>Thauera</i> sp. strain GDN1. When administered to C57BL/6 mice, strain GDN1 led to a significant reduction (approximately 50%) in serum androgen levels, despite only a minor increase in its relative abundance in the gut. The presence of androgenic ring-cleaved metabolites in fecal extracts and the expression of androgen catabolism genes suggested that strain GDN1 catabolized androgens, potentially blocking their recycling through enterohepatic circulation. This research highlighted the potential of androgen-catabolizing gut bacteria as probiotics for treating hyperandrogenism.