Effects of Vaginal Microbiota on Fertilization Outcomes in Women with Different Infertility Causes

Overview

Journal Microbiol Spectr

Date 2025 Jan 27

PMID 39868783

Authors

Huimin Zhao

Cong Wang

Manik Prabhu Narsing Rao

Muhammad Rafiq

Gang Luo

ShiJun Li

Ying-Qian Kang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Importance: Many studies suggest that vaginal microbiota (VMB) may affect fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) outcomes. Assessing VMB before embryo transfer can optimize timing for better assisted reproductive technology (ART) results. This study examined VMB distribution in infertile women undergoing ART using 16S rRNA sequencing. Results revealed that VMB structure impacted ART outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and tubal factor infertility (TFI) before embryo transfer ([less than or equal to] 24 hours). and spp. were identified as adverse factors for post-ET pregnancy. The study also showed differences in pre-ET VMB between normal women and women with PCOS and TFI during the ovulatory window. These findings highlight the importance of considering VMB composition to optimize embryo transfer timing and personalize ART treatment based on infertility type, improving the chances of success.

References

Ombelet W, Cooke I, Dyer S, Serour G, Devroey P . Infertility and the provision of infertility medical services in developing countries. Hum Reprod Update. 2008; 14(6):605-21. PMC: 2569858. DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmn042. View

Castro J, Machado D, Cerca N . Unveiling the role of Gardnerella vaginalis in polymicrobial Bacterial Vaginosis biofilms: the impact of other vaginal pathogens living as neighbors. ISME J. 2019; 13(5):1306-1317. PMC: 6474217. DOI: 10.1038/s41396-018-0337-0. View

Vander Borght M, Wyns C . Fertility and infertility: Definition and epidemiology. Clin Biochem. 2018; 62:2-10. DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2018.03.012. View

Skowronska M, Pawlowski M, Milewski R . A Literature Review and a Proposed Classification of the Relationships between Ovulatory Infertility and Lifestyle Factors Based on the Three Groups of Ovulation Disorders Classified by WHO. J Clin Med. 2023; 12(19). PMC: 10573907. DOI: 10.3390/jcm12196275. View

McMillan A, Macklaim J, Burton J, Reid G . Adhesion of Lactobacillus iners AB-1 to human fibronectin: a key mediator for persistence in the vagina?. Reprod Sci. 2012; 20(7):791-6. DOI: 10.1177/1933719112466306. View

. Revised 2003 consensus on diagnostic criteria and long-term health risks related to polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil Steril. 2004; 81(1):19-25. DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2003.10.004. View

Ravel J, Gajer P, Abdo Z, Schneider G, Koenig S, McCulle S . Vaginal microbiome of reproductive-age women. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010; 108 Suppl 1:4680-7. PMC: 3063603. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1002611107. View

Zhao C, Wei Z, Yang J, Zhang J, Yu C, Yang A . Characterization of the Vaginal Microbiome in Women with Infertility and Its Potential Correlation with Hormone Stimulation during Fertilization Surgery. mSystems. 2020; 5(4). PMC: 7363005. DOI: 10.1128/mSystems.00450-20. View

Verstraelen H, Verhelst R, Claeys G, De Backer E, Temmerman M, Vaneechoutte M . Longitudinal analysis of the vaginal microflora in pregnancy suggests that L. crispatus promotes the stability of the normal vaginal microflora and that L. gasseri and/or L. iners are more conducive to the occurrence of abnormal vaginal microflora. BMC Microbiol. 2009; 9:116. PMC: 2698831. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-9-116. View

10.

STEPTOE P, Edwards R . Birth after the reimplantation of a human embryo. Lancet. 1978; 2(8085):366. DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(78)92957-4. View

11.

Alam Z, Abdalla M, Alseiari S, Alameemi M, Alzaabi M, Alkhoori R . Polycystic ovarian syndrome among women diagnosed with infertility in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence studies. Womens Health (Lond). 2023; 19:17455057231160940. PMC: 10071214. DOI: 10.1177/17455057231160940. View

12.

Wang T, Li P, Bai X, Tian S, Yang M, Leng D . Vaginal microbiota are associated with in vitro fertilization during female infertility. Imeta. 2024; 3(3):e185. PMC: 11183179. DOI: 10.1002/imt2.185. View

13.

Machado A, Salgueiro D, Harwich M, Jefferson K, Cerca N . Quantitative analysis of initial adhesion of bacterial vaginosis-associated anaerobes to ME-180 cells. Anaerobe. 2013; 23:1-4. DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2013.07.007. View

14.

Wu J, Ning Y, Tan L, Chen Y, Huang X, Zhuo Y . Characteristics of the vaginal microbiome in women with premature ovarian insufficiency. J Ovarian Res. 2021; 14(1):172. PMC: 8655991. DOI: 10.1186/s13048-021-00923-9. View

15.

Liptakova A, curova K, Zahumensky J, Visnyaiova K, Varga I . Microbiota of female genital tract - functional overview of microbial flora from vagina to uterine tubes and placenta. Physiol Res. 2023; 71(Suppl 1):S21-S33. PMC: 9853993. View

16.

Fu M, Zhang X, Liang Y, Lin S, Qian W, Fan S . Alterations in Vaginal Microbiota and Associated Metabolome in Women with Recurrent Implantation Failure. mBio. 2020; 11(3). PMC: 7267891. DOI: 10.1128/mBio.03242-19. View

17.

Borges E, Berteli T, Reis T, Silva A, Vireque A . Microbial contamination in assisted reproductive technology: source, prevalence, and cost. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2019; 37(1):53-61. PMC: 7000601. DOI: 10.1007/s10815-019-01640-5. View

18.

Wang Y, Guo H, Gao X, Wang J . The Intratumor Microbiota Signatures Associate With Subtype, Tumor Stage, and Survival Status of Esophageal Carcinoma. Front Oncol. 2021; 11:754788. PMC: 8578860. DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.754788. View

19.

Thackray V . Sex, Microbes, and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2018; 30(1):54-65. PMC: 6309599. DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2018.11.001. View

20.

Dothard M, Allard S, Gilbert J . The effects of hormone replacement therapy on the microbiomes of postmenopausal women. Climacteric. 2023; 26(3):182-192. DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2023.2173568. View