Gut-Organ Axes: The Gut-Reproductive Connection

Another gut-organ axis that is yet to be explored in depth is the gut-reproductive axis. For a very long time the reproductive tract of healthy females was thought to be sterile. However, recent sequencing technologies have shown that a healthy reproductive tract is inhabited by microbiota. Similarly to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), the reproductive microbiota can experience dysbiosis during a disease state. 

 

Colonization

The microbial population of the reproductive tract begins to colonize shortly after birth. The barrier of the cervix is compromised at birth, which can allow microbes to travel in from the vagina, environment, feces, or skin.

Research in dairy cattle found genetic similarities in E. coli strains found in the GIT and the uterus. This suggests that the GIT aids in the colonization of the uterine microbiota. It is likely that colostrum isn’t just essential for gut colonization, but also colonization of other organs such as the reproductive tract.

 

Communication

The bloodstream is a main communication route for the gut-reproductive axis.  Studies have shown that the bloodstream plays a role in bacteria translocation from the GIT to the reproductive tract and from the liver to the uterus.

Dietary supplementation of postbiotic short-chain-fatty-acids including acetate, propionate, and butyrate have been found to influence levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in both cattle and sheep.  

 

On-Farm Application

We still have more to learn about the gut-reproductive axis, however, we can take the principles of what we know now and do our best to make on-farm application.

• It is likely that the GIT is involved in the colonization of the uterine microbiota. Colostrum may be as important for setting the stage for future reproductive performance as it is for gut development.
• Maintaining a healthy gut environment may also result in better reproductive health and performance.
• One study showed cows developing metritis at 21 days postpartum showed a delay in uterine and vaginal microbiota differentiation and a decrease in bacterial diversity at 7 days postpartum. In the future will we be able to use this information to be more proactive at treating or even preventing metritis?
• Another study found that the presence of Bacteroides, Porphomanas, and Fusobacteria were associated with metritis after a decrease in bacterial richness and uterine dysbiosis.
• Bacterial families (Lachnospiraceae and Rikenellaceae) and genera (Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Oscillospira) have been identified as indicators of healthy vaginal microbiota and may have the potential to be therapeutic.

There is still a lot to be discovered when it comes to the gut-reproductive axis, but for now we can do our best to support this interaction by taking steps to bolster the microbial population of the GIT.  Supplemental feed products such as Surveillance iL support a healthy gut environment as well as modulate inflammation and immune function. 

 

I was recently involved in an on-farm demonstration where we compared metritis incidence on 2 large western dairy farms.  Surveillance iL was fed to cows on one farm and the other farm was used as a control. Diets and demographics of the cows on each farm were very comparable.  Metritis incidence on the farm feeding Surveillance iL was 3x lower and found to be a savings of $14,620.50/1000 head freshened. For more information on Surveillance iL check out the MicroBasics Online Store! If you would like to know more about my on-farm demonstration, please leave a request in the comments or reach out to us at service@microbasics.com

For more information check out the MicroBasics Online Store!

 

Written by: Mariah Gull, M.S.

 

Source: Welch CB, Ryman VE, Pringle TD, Lourenco JM. Utilizing the Gastrointestinal Microbiota to Modulate Cattle Health through the Microbiome-Gut-Organ Axes. Microorganisms. 2022 Jul 10;10(7):1391. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10071391. PMID: 35889109; PMCID: PMC9324549.