Analysis of endometrial microbiota by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing among infertile patients: a single-center pilot study

Koichi Kyono, Tomoko Hashimoto, Yoko Nagai, Yoshiyuki Sakuraba, Koichi Kyono, Tomoko Hashimoto, Yoko Nagai, Yoshiyuki Sakuraba

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Japanese women; endometrial microbiota; infertile women; vaginal microbiota; volunteer.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A, Endometrial microbiomes of the healthy volunteers. The same number represents the same participant. *, same menstrual cycle. B, The vaginal microbiomes of the healthy volunteers. The same number represents the same participant. *, same menstrual cycle
Figure 2
Figure 2
Percentages of (A) endometrial and (B) vaginal Lactobacilli in the healthy volunteers, non‐IVF patients, and IVF patients. IVF, in vitro fertilization
Figure 3
Figure 3
Percentages of (A) endometrial and (B) vaginal Lactobacilli in nulligravida, gravida‐nullipara, and para female IVF patients. IVF, in vitro fertilization
Figure 4
Figure 4
Seven pregnant cases with a non‐Lactobacillus‐dominated (NLD) endometrium. The relative proportion of the most abundant operational taxonomic units in the endometrium of the seven pregnant cases. The number below the graph shows each participant: No. 1‐6, IVF patient; No. 7, non‐IVF patient. IVF, in vitro fertilization
Figure 5
Figure 5
Relative proportion of the most abundant operational taxonomic units in the endometrium of the NLD IVF patients. The number below the graph shows each participant. IVF, in vitro fertilization; NLD, non‐Lactobacillus‐dominated
Figure 6
Figure 6
Patients with a discordance in the pattern of the endometrial or vaginal microbiome. E, endometrium; V, vagina

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Source: PubMed

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