The Mouse Microbiome Is Required for Sex-Specific Diurnal Rhythms of Gene Expression and Metabolism (Cell Metabolism)

Physiology is dynamic over the day and different between sexes. Weger et al. show that the microbiome play a key role in sustaining these sex differences in gene expression and metabolism by ensuring proper sexual maturation and growth hormone secretion. Microbiota-derived metabolites and ghrelin likely drive these sexually dimorphic dynamics.