Major
Biology
Anticipated Graduation Year
2021
Access Type
Open Access
Abstract
The effect of pharmaceuticals, including hormone-based contraceptives, on gut microbiota is both unclear and understudied. Our goal is to evaluate the bidirectional interactions between these drugs and gut microbiota. Specifically, we hypothesize that hormones influence the structure and function of gut microbial communities. Secondly, we predict that microbial community members can metabolize the contraceptive hormones administered in the most common prescriptions. In this study, we use an in vitro culture system exposing gut microbiota to the most common hormones used in hormonal contraceptives. This in-process project will provide information to the research community on the role of gut microbial communities in women relying on orally delivered hormones for contraceptive or health purposes.
Faculty Mentors & Instructors
Annemiek Doedens, Dr. Michael B. Burns
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Uncovering interactions between oral hormone contraceptives and human gut microbiota
The effect of pharmaceuticals, including hormone-based contraceptives, on gut microbiota is both unclear and understudied. Our goal is to evaluate the bidirectional interactions between these drugs and gut microbiota. Specifically, we hypothesize that hormones influence the structure and function of gut microbial communities. Secondly, we predict that microbial community members can metabolize the contraceptive hormones administered in the most common prescriptions. In this study, we use an in vitro culture system exposing gut microbiota to the most common hormones used in hormonal contraceptives. This in-process project will provide information to the research community on the role of gut microbial communities in women relying on orally delivered hormones for contraceptive or health purposes.