From probiotics to postbiotics: microbial approaches in male reproductive health

From Probiotics to Postbiotics: Microbial Approaches in Male Reproductive HealthGamze ZENGİN 1, Kerem AZKESKİN 2, Fatih KAR 2ORCID: 0000-0002-5215-6088; 0009-0002-7609-8617; 0000-0001-8356-9806.1 Kütahya University of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Biology, Kütahya, 43000, Turkey.2 Kütahya University of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Kütahya, 43000, Turkey.Purpose: Fertility refers to an individual's reproductive health and capacity for reproduction, while infertility is the inability to achieve a healthy pregnancy. The purpose of this review is to examine the impact of microbial approaches on male reproductive health and to compile current findings on how gut microbiota regulation can improve fertility outcomes.Method: A literature search was conducted using articles obtained from various scientific databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus). The review focused on studies addressing the effects of probiotics, postbiotics, and other microbial therapeutic approaches, including fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), on male reproductive health.Findings: The studies indicate that microbiome imbalance negatively affects male reproductive health by impairing sperm production, testosterone levels, and sperm quality. Microbiome-based therapies, including prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, and FMT, can restore microbial balance, support beneficial microorganisms, and provide biologically active compounds. These interventions have the potential to improve sperm quality, regulate hormone levels, and enhance overall male reproductive health.Conclusion: This review highlights the potential of microbial therapeutic approaches in improving male reproductive health. By regulating gut microbiota balance, these therapies offer promising strategies for addressing male infertility. The findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the development, effectiveness, and potential applications of microbiome-based treatments in reproductive medicine.Keywords: Microbiota, Infertility, Prebiotics, Probiotics, Postbiotics, FMT.