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Human follicular fluid, considered sterile, is aspirated as part of an  in vitro  fertilization (IVF) cycle. However, it is easily contaminated by the trans-vaginal collection route and little information exists in its potential to support the growth of microorganisms. The objectives of this study were to determine whether human follicular fluid can support bacterial growth over time, whether the steroid hormones estradiol and progesterone (present at high levels within follicular fluid) contribute to the  in vitro  growth of bacterial species, and whether species isolated from follicular fluid form biofilms. We found that bacteria in follicular fluid could persist for at least 28 weeks  in vitro  and that the steroid hormones stimulated the growth of some bacterial species, specifically  Lactobacillus  spp.,  Bifidobacterium  spp.  Streptococcus  spp. and  E .  coli . Several species,  Lactobacillus  spp.,  Propionibacterium  spp., and  Streptococcus  spp., formed biofilms when incubated in native follicular fluids  in vitro  (18/24, 75%). We conclude that bacteria aspirated along with follicular fluid during IVF cycles demonstrate a persistent pattern of growth. This discovery is important since it can offer a new avenue for investigation in infertile couples.

Hormone-Dependent Bacterial Growth, Persistence and Biofilm Formation – A Pilot Study Investigating Human Follicular Fluid Collected during IVF Cycles