Gut–testis axis: how microbiota influence male reproductive health

Ruiyang Hu; Jingxing Wu; Nianben Chen; Wenjun Ma; Qinglin Hu

doi:10.2478/abm-2026-0017

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Gut–testis axis: how microbiota influence male reproductive health

Asian Biomedicine

Volume 20 (2026): Issue 3 (June 2026)

By: Ruiyang Hu, Jingxing Wu, Nianben Chen, Wenjun Ma and Qinglin Hu

Open Access

|Jun 2026

Abstract

The intestinal flora forms a complex ecosystem that interacts with the host, influencing health and fitness through mechanisms that connect with distant organs like the brain, liver, muscles, and testes. The gut microbiota plays a vital role in regulating androgen production and metabolism, and can cross the blood–testis barrier to influence spermatogenesis. This review highlights the significance of the gut–testis axis in male reproductive and sexual health, based on extensive studies exploring how gut microbes impact testicular function. Gaining this understanding deepens our knowledge of the gut–testis axis and its role in male reproductive health.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/abm-2026-0017 | Journal eISSN: 1875-855X | Journal ISSN: 1905-7415

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Language: English

Page range: 149 - 154

Published on: Jun 30, 2026

Published by: Chulalongkorn University

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

gastrointestinal microbiome,

gut dysbiosis,

gut–testis axis,

male reproductive health,

Related subjects:

Clinical medicine, other,

Medicine,

Basic medical science,

Basic medical science, other,

Medicine,

Assistive professions, nursing

© 2026 Ruiyang Hu, Jingxing Wu, Nianben Chen, Wenjun Ma, Qinglin Hu, published by Chulalongkorn University
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 20 (2026): Issue 3 (June 2026)