Endometrial microbiome
Endometrial microbiota plays a crucial role in female reproductive health
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What is the endometrial microbiota?
It is the collection of trillions of micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses) that live in symbiosis in the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterine cavity. This community of micro-organisms plays a crucial role in female reproductive health, including endometrial receptivity, embryo implantation and the maintenance of an evolving pregnancy.
What causes endometrial dysbiosis?
Endometrial dysbiosis is an imbalance of micro-organisms that can lead to negative outcomes for reproductive function. The composition of the endometrial microbiota is influenced by several factors, such as genetic predisposition, age, menstrual cycle, childbirth, vaginal microbiota, antibiotic use and sexual practices. The main genus in the endometrial microbiota is Lactobacillus, maintaining a healthy bacterial community as well as a state of eubiosis.
What is the incidence of altered endometrial dysbiosis?
A ‘normal’ composition of the endometrial microbiota has not yet been established. However, it has been observed that women with certain conditions, such as infertility, endometriosis, recurrent miscarriage and endometritis, have a different endometrial microbiota than healthy women.
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosis of the endometrial microbiota is performed using Next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques, which allow the different microorganisms to be identified and quantified by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene present in the endometrium of the patient with infertility.
How does the endometrial dysbiosis study help the medical specialist?
The study of the endometrial microbiota can help the medical specialist to better understand the causes of infertility, endometriosis, recurrent miscarriage and endometritis. It can also help develop new diagnostic and treatment methods for these conditions and personalise medical care for women with fertility or reproductive health problems. Restoring the endometrial microbiota is an opportunity to improve IVF success rates and outcomes. Certain probiotics can modulate the endometrial microbiota towards a healthier one and improve female fertility.
In which cases is it indicated?
The study of the endometrial microbiota may be indicated in the following cases:
- Women with infertility of unknown cause.
- Women with endometriosis.
- Women with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) and repeated miscarriage (RM).
- Women with endometritis.
- Women undergoing assisted reproduction techniques.
It is important to note that the study of the endometrial microbiota is a constantly developing field of research. Further studies are needed to better understand the role of the endometrial microbiota in female reproductive health and to develop new clinical applications.
Author: Paqui Lozano