The role of the endometrial microbiome and the implications for the outcome of In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

Bryant, Ciara Joy

The role of the endometrial microbiome and the implications for the outcome of In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

Bryant, Ciara Joy

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Publication Type:: Thesis
Issue Date:: 2026

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Bryant, Ciara Joy
dc.date.accessioned	2026-10-27T01:47:00Z
dc.date.available	2026-10-27T01:47:00Z
dc.date.issued	2026
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/197260
dc.description	University of Technology Sydney. Faculty of Science.	en_US.UTF-8
dc.description.abstract	Infertility can be treated with in vitro fertilisation (IVF). However, IVF success rates have not improved over the last 15 years. Previous endometrial microbiome profiling has shown that differing microbial profiles are associated with IVF outcomes. This study investigated the role of the endometrial microbiome by exploring functional impacts on cellular processes. Microbiota-associated metabolites were incorporated into cell culture models, and biomarkers for the development of receptivity, immune response, and implantation were measured. L-lactic and D-lactic acids were used to represent different Lactobacillus species based on their metabolic profiles, and acetic and succinic acids were used to represent diverse bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids. L-lactic acid reduced endometrial epithelial cell migration. D-lactic and acetic acids reduced the expression of tight junction protein ZO-1. L-lactic, acetic, and succinic acids altered the expression of genes involved in the development of receptivity, including TGFBR1. D-lactic acid increased the secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 in NK cells, which may aid embryo invasion. Media conditioned by NK cells reduced spheroid attachment to epithelial cells, suggesting metabolites could affect invasion. This study has shown that microbiota-associated metabolites can impact factors involved in receptivity, the immune status of the endometrium, and embryo implantation.	en_US.UTF-8
dc.format	Thesis (PhD)
dc.language.iso	en_US	en_US.UTF-8
dc.relation	https://opus.lib.uts.edu.au/bitstream/10453/197260/1/thesis.pdf
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.rights	The author owns the copyright in this thesis including all reproduction and reuse rights for the work. The work may not be altered without the permission of the copyright owner. Attribution is essential when quoting or paraphrasing from this thesis.
dc.rights	© 2026 Ciara Joy Bryant
dc.rights	au.edu.uts.lib/cph
dc.title	The role of the endometrial microbiome and the implications for the outcome of In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)	en_US.UTF-8
dc.type	Thesis
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*

Abstract:

Infertility can be treated with in vitro fertilisation (IVF). However, IVF success rates have not improved over the last 15 years. Previous endometrial microbiome profiling has shown that differing microbial profiles are associated with IVF outcomes. This study investigated the role of the endometrial microbiome by exploring functional impacts on cellular processes. Microbiota-associated metabolites were incorporated into cell culture models, and biomarkers for the development of receptivity, immune response, and implantation were measured. L-lactic and D-lactic acids were used to represent different Lactobacillus species based on their metabolic profiles, and acetic and succinic acids were used to represent diverse bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids. L-lactic acid reduced endometrial epithelial cell migration. D-lactic and acetic acids reduced the expression of tight junction protein ZO-1. L-lactic, acetic, and succinic acids altered the expression of genes involved in the development of receptivity, including TGFBR1. D-lactic acid increased the secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 in NK cells, which may aid embryo invasion. Media conditioned by NK cells reduced spheroid attachment to epithelial cells, suggesting metabolites could affect invasion. This study has shown that microbiota-associated metabolites can impact factors involved in receptivity, the immune status of the endometrium, and embryo implantation.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/197260