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Microbial Endocrinology

Meaning

Microbial endocrinology is an interdisciplinary field that studies the complex biochemical signaling and communication between the host’s endocrine system and the resident microbiota, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract. This area of research investigates how hormones, neurotransmitters, and neuropeptides produced by the host can influence the growth, virulence, and gene expression of the gut microbes. Conversely, it examines how microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), can impact host hormone production, sensitivity, and systemic physiology. This bidirectional communication is a critical regulator of health, mood, and metabolic function.