Microbial genetic screen identifies bacterial genes that compromise Caenorhabditis elegans reproductive fitness

reproduction. Using a controllable model, we achieved precise microbe gene-host reproductive phenotype mapping, revealing the mechanism: bacterial gene deficiency induces host "high metabolism, low proliferation" to reduce fertility. It offers a new genetic perspective for understanding microbe-mediated reproductive disorders and a framework for dissecting single-gene microbe-host interactions and developing targeted interventions.