Microbial harmony in female reproductive health: exploring the impact of intestinal flora on ovarian function and disease pathogenesis

The intestinal microbiota is vast in type and quantity and it plays a critical role in regulating various physiological functions in the host, including intestinal function, immune response and energy metabolism. Existing research shows that intestinal flora is associated with various hormones, cell cycles and ovarian function-related diseases in the female ovaries. Certain microorganisms within the intestinal flora can modulate the levels of hormones secreted by the ovary, such as estrogen and androgens. Furthermore, an imbalance in the gut microbiota can result in altered hormone levels in the host, potentially leading to related diseases. Studies have found that a variety of ovarian function-related diseases are closely related to intestinal flora, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), ovarian insufficiency (POI), endometriosis (EMS) and ovarian cancer. Importantly, ovarian function-related diseases are notably difficult to diagnose early and often require prolonged treatment for effective management. The microbiota and its metabolites in patients with ovarian function-related diseases and cancers can serve as valuable biomarkers for early diagnosis, offering novel strategies for disease screening, treatment stratification, and prognosis.