Second Place Winner 2022, nominated by Amir Zarrinpar (Department of Gastroenterology)
Polycystic ovary syndrome is the leading cause of infertility and is often ineffectively treated. The LET mouse model replicates PCOS phenotype. Exposure to healthy gut microbiome ameliorates PCOS in mice. Gut microbes that express BSH can modify bile acids. BSH-expressing ENB facilitate bile acid deconjugation in mice. Mice with BSH-expressing ENB have improved insulin response. BSH does not affect normal mouse estrous cyclicity. Mice with BSH-expressing ENG have decreased androgen levels. BSH-expressing bacteria might have potential to prevent human PCOS.
