Open AccessAnalysis of endometrial microbiota by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing among infertile patients: a single‐center pilot study
Author(s) -
Kyono Koichi,
Hashimoto Tomoko,
Nagai Yoko,
Sakuraba Yoshiyuki
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
reproductive medicine and biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.005
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 1447-0578
pISSN - 1445-5781
DOI - 10.1002/rmb2.12105
Subject(s) - lactobacillus , medicine , gynecology , gardnerella vaginalis , andrology , population , vagina , biology , bacterial vaginosis , genetics , bacteria , environmental health , surgery
Purpose The present study aimed to analyze the endometrial and vaginal microbiome among a Japanese infertile population by sequencing and the impact of the endometrial and vaginal environment on implantation. Methods In total, 102 infertile (79 in vitro fertilization [ IVF ] and 23 non‐ IVF ) patients and seven healthy volunteers were recruited from August to December, 2017. Endometrial fluid and vaginal discharge samples for sequencing were collected by using an intrauterine insemination catheter. The bacterial status of the endometrium and vagina were analyzed. Results The Lactobacillus ‐dominated microbiota (>90% Lactobacillus spp.) in the endometrium vs vagina was 38% (30/79) vs 44.3% (44/79) in the IVF patients, 73.9% (17/23) vs 73.9% (17/23) in the non‐ IVF patients, and 85.7% (6/7) vs 85.7% (6/7) in the healthy volunteers. The percentage of endometrial Lactobacillus in the healthy volunteers was highly stable within the same menstrual cycle and even in the following cycle. The major taxonomies were Gardnerella , Streptococcus , Atopobium , Bifidobacterium , Sneathia , Prevotella , and Staphylococcus . Fifteen patients achieved pregnancy by a single vitrified‐warmed blastocyst transfer during this study; the median percentage of Lactobacillus in the pregnant women was 96.45 ± 33.61%. Conclusion A considerable percentage of non‐ Lactobacillus‐ dominated ( NLD ) microbiota was found in the endometrium of Japanese infertile women. Increasing the endometrial level of the Lactobacilli to >90% might favor the implantation outcome of NLD infertile patients.