Gender-affirming hormonal therapy induces a gender-concordant fecal metagenome transition in transgender individuals
Liwinski T, Auer MK, Schröder J, Pieknik I, Casar C, Schwinge D, Henze L, Stalla GK, Lang UE, von Klitzing A, Briken P, Hildebrandt T, Desbuleux JC, Biedermann SV, Holterhus PM, Bang C, Schramm C, Fuss J (2024)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2024
Journal
Book Volume: 22
Article Number: 346
Journal Issue: 1
DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03548-z
Abstract
Background: Limited data exists regarding gender-specific microbial alterations during gender-affirming hormonal therapy (GAHT) in transgender individuals. This study aimed to investigate the nuanced impact of sex steroids on gut microbiota taxonomy and function, addressing this gap. We prospectively analyzed gut metagenome changes associated with 12 weeks of GAHT in trans women and trans men, examining both taxonomic and functional shifts. Methods: Thirty-six transgender individuals (17 trans women, 19 trans men) provided pre- and post-GAHT stool samples. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing was used to assess the changes in gut microbiota structure and potential function following GAHT. Results: While alpha and beta diversity remained unchanged during transition, specific species, including Parabacteroides goldsteinii and Escherichia coli, exhibited significant abundance shifts aligned with affirmed gender. Overall functional metagenome analysis showed a statistically significant effect of gender and transition (R2 = 4.1%, P = 0.0115), emphasizing transitions aligned with affirmed gender, particularly in fatty acid-related metabolism. Conclusions: This study provides compelling evidence of distinct taxonomic and functional profiles in the gut microbiota between trans men and women. GAHT induces androgenization in trans men and feminization in trans women, potentially impacting physiological and health-related outcomes. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02185274.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE)
Germany (DE)
Universitäre Psychiatrische Kliniken Basel (UPK) / Universitäre Psychiatrische Kliniken Base
Switzerland (CH)
Klinikum der Universität München
Germany (DE)
MSH Medical School Hamburg - Fachhochschule für Gesundheit und Medizin
Germany (DE)
Universität Duisburg-Essen (UDE)
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH)
Germany (DE)
Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
Germany (DE)
Germany (DE)
Universitäre Psychiatrische Kliniken Basel (UPK) / Universitäre Psychiatrische Kliniken Base
Switzerland (CH)
Klinikum der Universität München
Germany (DE)
MSH Medical School Hamburg - Fachhochschule für Gesundheit und Medizin
Germany (DE)
Universität Duisburg-Essen (UDE)
Germany (DE)
Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH)
Germany (DE)
Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
Germany (DE)
How to cite
APA:
Liwinski, T., Auer, M.K., Schröder, J., Pieknik, I., Casar, C., Schwinge, D.,... Fuss, J. (2024). Gender-affirming hormonal therapy induces a gender-concordant fecal metagenome transition in transgender individuals. BMC Medicine, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-024-03548-z
MLA:
Liwinski, Timur, et al. "Gender-affirming hormonal therapy induces a gender-concordant fecal metagenome transition in transgender individuals." BMC Medicine 22.1 (2024).
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