Females with Impaired Ovarian Function Could Be Vulnerable to Environmental Pollutants: Identification via Next-Generation Sequencing of the Vaginal Microbiome

Abstract

Background: The vaginal microbiome has been widely investigated because of its utility in the diagnosis of vaginitis and its connection to various conditions. However, its relationship with impaired ovarian function and the influence of environmental pollutants have not been evaluated. Here, we conducted a next-generation sequencing study of the vaginal microbiome in young females with normal and decreased ovarian function and analyzed its correlation with various environmental pollutants. Methods: Vaginal swabs were collected from 92 individuals (22 with impaired ovarian function and 70 with normal function), and the vaginal microbiome was analyzed using next-generation sequencing. The 16S rDNA sequences were assembled by Fast Length Adjustment of SHort reads (FLASH) and clustered by Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs). Diversity analysis was performed using Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology (QIIME). Laboratory findings, including hormonal status were measured. Results: Most characteristics of the two groups were similar, except that the impaired function group showed lower AMH and higher FSH (p < 0.01 and p = 0.04, respectively). Among the most abundant taxa, several species differed; however, only two species showed significant differences: Propionibacterium acnes and Prevotella copri. The heat map did not show significant differences between the groups. Canonical correlation analysis revealed that more environmental pollutants were related to changes in the vaginal microbiome in the impaired ovarian function group than in the normal group. Conclusion: The vaginal microbiomes in young women with decreased ovarian function tended to be more sensitive to various environmental pollutants, especially volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Therefore, females with impaired ovarian function could be more vulnerable to VOCs.