The Use of Probiotics for Management and Improvement of Reproductive Eubiosis and Function

Abstract

Reproductive tract dysbiosis, due to the action of pathogens and/or unhealthy lifestyle, has been related to many reproductive diseases and disorders in mammalian species. Classically, such a problem has been confronted by the administration of antibiotics. Despite their effectiveness for controlling disease, treatments with antibiotics may negatively affect the fertility of males and females and, mainly, may induce antibiotic resistance. Accordingly, safer alternatives for maintaining reproductive system eubiosis, such as probiotics, are required. The present review summarizes the current knowledge on the biodiversity of the microbiota at the reproductive tract, possible changes in the case of dysbiosis, and their relationships with adequate reproductive health and functioning in both females and males. Afterwards, mechanisms of action and benefits of different probiotics are weighed since the biological activities of probiotics may provide a promising alternative to antibiotics for maintaining and restoring reproductive eubiosis and function. However, at present, it is still necessary for further research to focus on: (a) identifying mechanisms by which probiotics can affect reproductive processes; (b) the safety of probiotics to the host, specifically when consumed during sensitive reproductive windows such as pregnancy; and (c) the hazards instructions and regulatory rules required for marketing these biological-based therapies with sufficient safety. Thus, in this review, to draw a comprehensive overview with a relatively low number of clinical studies in this field, we showed the findings of studies performed either on human or animal models. This review strategy may help provide concrete facts on the eligible probiotic strains, probiotics colonization and transfer route, and prophylactic and/or therapeutic effects of different probiotic strains.

Metataxonomic analysis of the uterine microbiota associated with low fertility in dairy cows using endometrial tissues prior to first artificial insemination

“…As individual approaches, intravaginal administration of probiotics and vaginal microbiota transplantation have been recently reported in humans [40] and are expected to be applied to cows. The establishment of these treatments in cows has the potential to reduce the use of antimicrobial agents to treat uterine disease and contribute to the control of the increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria [41]. Regarding the herd approaches, hygiene practices adapted to the housing style and appropriate feeding management are required.…”

The Treatment of Complementary and Alternative Medicine on Female Infertility Caused by Endometrial Factors

“…Compared with healthy women, infertile patients with chronic endometritis have lower vaginal microbial diversity and abundance, especially Lactobacillus, which determines the embryo implantation rate and pregnancy rate [ 179 – 181 ]. Therefore, many studies have begun to focus on increasing the abundance of Lactobacillus to improve pregnancy outcome in infertile patients, and probiotics have received more and more attention for their anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and maintenance of healthy and safe reproductive system properties [ 182 ]. A study conducted by Kyono et al [ 183 ] showed that the simultaneous use of antibiotics and probiotic supplements could effectively establish Lactobacillus predominance in the endometrium of infertile women to a certain extent, which is of great significance for improving the microbial status of the endometrium.…”

Importance of the female reproductive tract microbiome and its relationship with the uterine environment for health and productivity in cattle: A review

“…Due to the success of probiotics in the gastrointestinal tract, researchers have begun to evaluate the use of probiotics for the reproductive tract. In humans, both orally consumed and vaginally delivered probiotics have been successful as an alternative or an addition to antibiotic regimens for treating bacterial dysbiosis in the reproductive tract (Vujic et al, 2013;Abbasi et al, 2021;Hashem and Gonzalez-Bulnes, 2022). These probiotics typically consist of Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium species (Hashem and Gonzalez-Bulnes, 2022).…”

“…In humans, both orally consumed and vaginally delivered probiotics have been successful as an alternative or an addition to antibiotic regimens for treating bacterial dysbiosis in the reproductive tract (Vujic et al, 2013;Abbasi et al, 2021;Hashem and Gonzalez-Bulnes, 2022). These probiotics typically consist of Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium species (Hashem and Gonzalez-Bulnes, 2022). Lactobacillus is used to restore the community to a Lactobacillus dominated state (Vujic et al, 2013).…”