What is the term for the study of hormones in relation to microbes?

The study of hormones in relation to microbes is known as microbial endocrinology. This field explores how hormones produced by the host can influence microbial behavior, metabolism, and interactions, as well as how microorganisms can produce hormones that may affect their host. It emphasizes the complex relationships between endocrine systems and microbial communities, highlighting the dynamic interplay that can impact health and disease.

This term specifically designates the intersection of microbiology and endocrinology, making it distinct and focused on the interactions between microbial life and hormonal activity, which is important for understanding phenomena such as the gut-brain axis and the influence of the microbiome on various physiological processes. Other terminology, such as hormonal microbiology, does not correct encompass the broader implications or established research within this specialized area.