A retrospective pilot study to determine whether the reproductive tract microbiota differs between women with a history of infertility and fertile women

Wee, BA; Thomas, M; Sweeney, EL; Frentiu, FD; Samios, M; Ravel, J; Gajer, P; Myers, G; Timms, P; Allan, JA; Huston, WM

A retrospective pilot study to determine whether the reproductive tract microbiota differs between women with a history of infertility and fertile women

Wee, BA Thomas, M Sweeney, EL Frentiu, FD Samios, M Ravel, J Gajer, P Myers, G

Timms, P Allan, JA Huston, WM

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2018, 58 (3), pp. 341 - 348
Issue Date:: 2018-06-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Wee, BA	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Thomas, M	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Sweeney, EL	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Frentiu, FD	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Samios, M	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Ravel, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Gajer, P	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Myers, G https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4756-4810	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Timms, P	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Allan, JA	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Huston, WM https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0879-1287	en_US
dc.date.available	2020-05-25T19:02:45Z
dc.date.issued	2018-06-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2018, 58 (3), pp. 341 - 348	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0004-8666	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/122003
dc.description.abstract	© 2017 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Background: We know very little about the microbiota inhabiting the upper female reproductive tract and how it impacts on fertility. Aims: This pilot study aimed to examine the vaginal, cervical and endometrial microbiota for women with a history of infertility compared to women with a history of fertility. Materials and methods: Using a retrospective case–control study design, women were recruited for collection of vaginal, cervical and endometrial samples. The microbiota composition was analysed by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene amplification and endometrial expression of selected human genes by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: Sixty-five specimens from the reproductive tract of 31 women were successfully analysed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing (16 controls and 15 cases). The dominant microbial community members were consistent in the vagina and cervix, and generally consistent with the endometrium although the relative proportions varied. We detected three major microbiota clusters that did not group by tissue location or case–control status. There was a trend that infertile women more often had Ureaplasma in the vagina and Gardnerella in the cervix. Testing for the expression of selected genes in the endometrium did not show evidence of correlation with case–control status, or with microbial community composition, although Tenascin-C expression correlated with a history of miscarriage. Conclusions: There is a need for further exploration of the endometrial microbiota, and how the microbiota members or profile interplays with fertility or assisted reproductive technologies.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1111/ajo.12754	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Cervix Uteri	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Endometrium	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Vagina	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Lactobacillus	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Infertility, Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Case-Control Studies	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Retrospective Studies	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Pilot Projects	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Gestational Age	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy Trimesters	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Microbiota	en_US
dc.title	A retrospective pilot study to determine whether the reproductive tract microbiota differs between women with a history of infertility and fertile women	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	3	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	58	en_US
utslib.for	1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Life Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - ithree - Institute of Infection, Immunity and Innovation
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.issue	3	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	58	en_US

Abstract:

© 2017 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Background: We know very little about the microbiota inhabiting the upper female reproductive tract and how it impacts on fertility. Aims: This pilot study aimed to examine the vaginal, cervical and endometrial microbiota for women with a history of infertility compared to women with a history of fertility. Materials and methods: Using a retrospective case–control study design, women were recruited for collection of vaginal, cervical and endometrial samples. The microbiota composition was analysed by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene amplification and endometrial expression of selected human genes by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: Sixty-five specimens from the reproductive tract of 31 women were successfully analysed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing (16 controls and 15 cases). The dominant microbial community members were consistent in the vagina and cervix, and generally consistent with the endometrium although the relative proportions varied. We detected three major microbiota clusters that did not group by tissue location or case–control status. There was a trend that infertile women more often had Ureaplasma in the vagina and Gardnerella in the cervix. Testing for the expression of selected genes in the endometrium did not show evidence of correlation with case–control status, or with microbial community composition, although Tenascin-C expression correlated with a history of miscarriage. Conclusions: There is a need for further exploration of the endometrial microbiota, and how the microbiota members or profile interplays with fertility or assisted reproductive technologies.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/122003