Infertile couples undergoing the use of assisted reproductive technology are a good study model to evaluate the microbiological signatures affecting reproductive health. We tested vaginal lavages, follicular fluids, embryo culture mediums, and seminal fluids from 47 couples for their microbiome composition and HPV infection. Twenty-five infertile couples were diagnosed with unexplained infertility, whereas 22 were diagnosed with explained infertility. Lactobacilli were dominant in the vaginal lavages of both patient groups, and the most abundant species was L. iners (CST III), which is linked to a decreased fertility rate. Besides this, L. gasseri-which is known to be associated with oocyte DNA fragmentation and decreased sperm mobility-was identified in the seminal fluids, follicular fluids, and embryo culture media of the unexplained infertility group. Prevotella was increased in the seminal fluids of the explained infertility group, along with HPV-positive seminal fluids: an infection commonly associated with infertility, especially male infertility. Prevotella has been described to negatively affect sperm motility. Taken together, these results suggest that the profiling of the reproductive tract microbiome can add new perspectives to human reproduction.
Microorganisms. 2020 Dec 25*** epublish ***
Giuseppina Campisciano, Valerio Iebba, Gabriella Zito, Stefania Luppi, Monica Martinelli, Leo Fischer, Francesco De Seta, Giuseppe Basile, Giuseppe Ricci, Manola Comar
Advanced Laboratory of Translational Microbiology, Institute for Maternal and Child Health "IRCCS Burlo Garofolo", Via dell'Istria 65, 34137 Trieste, Italy., Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University Hospital of Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, Italy., Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute for Maternal and Child Health "IRCCS Burlo Garofolo", Via dell'Istria 65, 34137 Trieste, Italy., Orthopedic Department, Clinical Institute San Siro, Via Monreale 18, 20148 Milano, Italy.