Ishita Roy

Sexome: Bacteria Exchanged During Intercourse Could Trace Sexual Assault Perpetrators

Sexome

An Australian study led by supervisor Dr Brendan Chapman of Murdoch University found that bacteria transferred between people during sexual intercourse could be used in forensic testing that can then help identify <span>sexual assault</span> perpetrators. 

Genital bacteria, which are similar to microorganisms that make up the gut microbiome vary between individuals. They are transferred to sexual partners during intercourse and also leave specific signatures that can be detected. As per Dr Chapman, the technique of tracing an individual's sexual microbiome, or <span>sexome</span> could be used in sexual assault cases where no sperm is detected. 

It is an important finding, especially for the Australians as 97% of sexual assault perpetrators are male, with 1 in 5 women over the age of 15 having experienced some kind of sexual assault. With such a finding, if there is no ejaculation, barrier contraceptive or vasectomised male, this bacteria becomes an important way to trace. 

The researches aimed the bacterial gene called the 16S rRNA, which are not present in human, however, its genetic sequence differs in bacteria found on different people. For the study, genital swabs from 12 monogamous, heterosexual couples before and after intercourse showed that a person's bacterial signature could be identified on their partner after sex. 

Even with a condom, the signature was still transferred, but in such cases, it was the female to male partner transfer. The researchers also confirmed that pubic hair, oral intercourse, circumcision or use of lubricant did not affect the transfer of bacteria. 

After the samples were studied, the researchers saw a noticeable disruption in the microbial diversity in both male and female. However, it is important to note that it was not present in all couples. Upon further investigating, it was found that one partner's sexome can be identified on the other, this suggests a transfer of bacterial signature during sex. 

Forensics work on the concept of contact that leaves a trace behind. While fingerprints are obvious residue from skin, sexome is also the healthy bacterial community living on. and within, our bodies as a means of detecting that transfer. Not just this recent study, but earlier too many studies have been published on the microbiome transmission during sexual intercourse. Another study published by the Endocrinology Society titled Understanding the Sexome: Measuring and Reporting Sex Differences in Gene Systems, note that sexome is the sum of all sex-specific and sex-biased modulatory interactions that operate within the networks, creating sex differences in connectivity and activity of nodes. In fact there have been studies that found that sex of the host shapes its gut microbiota. 

The 2021 study titled How biological sex of the host shapes it gut microbiota by Fracesco Valeri and Kristina Endres found that sex hormones are a potent driver of differences in the microbiome and that it influences gut microbiota during human lifespan from the very beginning.

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An Australian study led by supervisor Dr Brendan Chapman of Murdoch University found that bacteria transferred between people during sexual intercourse could be used in forensic testing that can then help identify sexual assault perpetrators. How Does It Work?Genital bacteria, which are similar to microorganisms that make up the gut microbiome vary between individuals. They are transferred to sexual partners during intercourse and also leave specific signatures that can be detected. As per Dr Chapman, the technique of tracing an individual's sexual microbiome, or sexome could be used in sexual assault cases where no sperm is detected. It is an important finding, especially for the Australians as 97% of sexual assault perpetrators are male, with 1 in 5 women over the age of 15 having experienced some kind of sexual assault. With such a finding, if there is no ejaculation, barrier contraceptive or vasectomised male, this bacteria becomes an important way to trace. The researches aimed the bacterial gene called the 16S rRNA, which are not present in human, however, its genetic sequence differs in bacteria found on different people. For the study, genital swabs from 12 monogamous, heterosexual couples before and after intercourse showed that a person's bacterial signature could be identified on their partner after sex. Even with a condom, the signature was still transferred, but in such cases, it was the female to male partner transfer. The researchers also confirmed that pubic hair, oral intercourse, circumcision or use of lubricant did not affect the transfer of bacteria. What Was Noted In The Study?After the samples were studied, the researchers saw a noticeable disruption in the microbial diversity in both male and female. However, it is important to note that it was not present in all couples. Upon further investigating, it was found that one partner's sexome can be identified on the other, this suggests a transfer of bacterial signature during sex. What Is Sexome?Forensics work on the concept of contact that leaves a trace behind. While fingerprints are obvious residue from skin, sexome is also the healthy bacterial community living on. and within, our bodies as a means of detecting that transfer. Not just this recent study, but earlier too many studies have been published on the microbiome transmission during sexual intercourse. Another study published by the Endocrinology Society titled Understanding the Sexome: Measuring and Reporting Sex Differences in Gene Systems, note that sexome is the sum of all sex-specific and sex-biased modulatory interactions that operate within the networks, creating sex differences in connectivity and activity of nodes. In fact there have been studies that found that sex of the host shapes its gut microbiota. The 2021 study titled How biological sex of the host shapes it gut microbiota by Fracesco Valeri and Kristina Endres found that sex hormones are a potent driver of differences in the microbiome and that it influences gut microbiota during human lifespan from the very beginning.