<i>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</i> 082 ameliorates heat stress-induced testicular injury by modulating the gut microbiota

Global warming-induced heat stress severely impairs male reproductive health, with no effective interventions available. The "gut-testis axis" is increasingly recognized but poorly studied in heat stress-related testicular injury. This study identifies <i>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</i> 082 as a viable protector, which acts by remodeling gut microbiota, repairing intestinal barriers, and regulating lipopolysaccharide and short-chain fatty acid levels. It fills gaps in probiotic-mediated gut-testis axis regulation, provides an experimental basis for probiotic-based strategies, and offers new insights to mitigate heat stress-related reproductive harm in animals and humans.