Abstract
BackgroundThe make-up of gut microbiota at different puberty stages has not been reported. This cross-sectional study analyzed the bio-diversity of gut microbiota at different puberty stages.ResultThe subjects (aged 5–15 years) were divided into non-pubertal (n = 42, male%: 66.7%) or pubertal groups (n = 47, male%:44.68); in both groups, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were the dominant phylum. There was no difference of alpha- and beta-diversity among disparate puberty stages. Non-pubertal subjects had members of the order Clostridiales, family Clostridiaceae, genus Coprobacillus which were significantly more prevalent than puberty subjects. Also, the pubertal subjects had members of class Betaproteobacteria, order Burkholderiales which were significantly more prevalent than the non-pubertal subjects. Their relative abundance was independent of BMI-Z. In the pubertal subjects, the abundance of genus Adlercreutzia, Ruminococcus, Dorea, Clostridium and Parabacteroides was associated with the level of testosterone.ConclusionsThis is the first report of the diversity of gut microbiota at different puberty stages. The various species of gut microbiota changed gradually associated with puberty stages. Differences in gut microflora at different pubertal status may be related to androgen levels.
Highlights
The make-up of gut microbiota at different puberty stages has not been reported
This is the first report of the diversity of gut microbiota at different puberty stages
The various species of gut microbiota changed gradually associated with puberty stages
Summary
The make-up of gut microbiota at different puberty stages has not been reported. Puberty constitutes an important phase of life, which is associated with profound physiological changes related to sexual maturation during the transition toward adulthood. These somatic developmental changes are predominantly driven by hormones and are accompanied by psychological adjustment. This dynamic period represents an unparalleled opportunity to assess potential hormonal impacts on gut microbiota [1]. Previous studies pointed out that human gut microbiota was adult-like after the first 3 years of life and were relatively stable [2, 3]. Enck et al conducted a large-scale study, using conventional
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