Vaginal microbioma and the presence of Lactobacillus spp. as interferences in female fertility: A review system

Abstract

The vaginal microbiome is dominated by Lactobacillus spp. and the depletion of these microorganisms have been associated with adverse conditions that can affect women’s health. Disturbance of the vaginal niche with a non-lactobacillary microbiota is associated with susceptibility to some diseases, such as obstetric alterations and infertility, resulting in failure in natural pregnancies and increased demand for assisted reproduction treatments. The present study sought to understand the influence of Lactobacillus spp. and fertility female. A systematic search was performed in the following databases: PubMed, MEDLINE, SciELO and LILACS, using the keywords: “Microbiome”; “ Lactobacillus ” and “Female Infertility”, published in the last five years. The search resulted in 92 articles; however, 38 articles were excluded due to duplicity, 23 articles were excluded in the selection title/abstract, leaving 31 articles for full reading. In the end, 18 articles were analyzed. The studies encompassed a total of 2,011 women, using 27 types of samples to verify the composition of the microbiome. The eighteen articles that reported the microbiome of fertile women were constituted by a dominance of Lactobacillus spp. who joined to positive predictive outcomes in reproduction, while infertile women showed a dysbiotic profile. Therefore, analyzing bacterial patterns would allow a personalized diagnosis, which could favor personalized therapy for prevention and treatment of certain diseases.

Special series on the role of the microbiome in reproduction and fertility

“…in their reproductive tract ( Chen et al 2021 ). Lactobacilli have several beneficial properties including contributing to an acidic environment, preventing the overgrowth of pathogenic microorganisms, and promoting sperm survival ( Souza et al 2023 ). Microbes in the reproductive tract can influence fertility by modulating hormone levels, immune responses, and nutrient availability ( Moreno & Simon 2019 ).…”

A Narrative Review Discussing the Obstetric Repercussions Due to Alterations of Personalized Bacterial Sites Developed within the Vagina, Cervix, and Endometrium

“…As a first-line protection against foreign entities and responsible for a dynamic balance between interdependence and mutual restriction, the vagina is a unique habitat for a broad spectrum of microorganisms and is vital [33][34][35] for conception and pregnancy, as well as a passage for sperm, menstrual blood, and childbirth [36][37][38][39][40]. However, over the course of a lifespan, the composition may vary based on a series of exogenous factors such as age, ethnicity, and geographical location [41].…”

Farmácia: normas legais, aspectos empresariais e relações profissionais

“…Normalmente, cerca de 95% dos microorganismos da microbiota vaginal são Lactobacillus sp., que são bactérias Gram-positivas que têm uma forma bacilar, produzem ácido láctico e também são conhecidas como bacilos Döederlein em circunstâncias normais (Souza et al, 2023). A mucosa vaginal íntegra é a primeira barreira física e anatômica, de suma importância, a ser transposta pelo agente agressor.…”

“…O tratamento dessas condições envolve procedimentos personalizados para cada paciente, levando em consideração sua apresentação clínica, estágio da doença, faixa etária, histórico familiar e características físicas e psicológicas. Embora muitos tratamentos envolvam a utilização de fármacos, estudos tem demonstrado a eficácia de plantas oleaginosas como coadjuvante terapêutico nesse tratamento (Souza et al, 2023).…”