Several
disorders have been linked to modifications in the gut microbial
imbalance, intestinal epithelium, and host immune system. In this
regard, microbiota derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) play a key
function in the regulation of histone deacetylases (HDACs), which affect
modulation of immunity and regulation of inflammatory responses in the
intestine and other organs. Studies examining the metabolites produced
by polymicrobial bacterial vaginosis (BV) states and Lactobacillus-dominated
microbiota have noted a dramatic reduction of lactic acid and a shift
toward SCFA synthesis. Along with higher levels of SCFAs, acetate is
typically the main metabolite in the cervicovaginal fluid of women with
symptomatic bacterial vaginosis. The fact that SCFAs made by the vaginal
microbiota have been shown to exhibit antibacterial and
immune-modulating properties suggests that they may have promise as
indicators of disease and/or disease susceptibility. In this review, we
overview and summarize the current findings on the detrimental or
protective roles of microbiota metabolites especially SCFAs in the
health and disease of the female reproductive system.