Summary
The female reproductive tract hosts 9% of the total human microbiome. Microbiota is present in both the lower and upper genital tract and is essential in maintaining reproductive tract homeostasis.
Objective. To provide an overview of the latest research on the links between female genital tract microbiota and infertility, explore the role of microbiota in the success of assisted reproductive technologies, and assess its potential as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in infertility treatment.
Methods. The search of relevant literature sources was conducted in the “Pubmed” medical database and in the specialized search engine “Google Scholar”.
Literature review. The female reproductive tract is a complex ecosystem composed of host cells, immune components, microorganisms, and metabolites. Studies have shown that in healthy women, the reproductive tract's microbiota is predominantly composed of bacteria from the genus Lactobacillus. These bacteria produce lactic acid through anaerobic fermentation, which maintains a mildly acidic environment and inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria. They also produce hydrogen peroxide, which helps prevent the colonization of the reproductive tract by harmful microbes. When dysbiosis occurs, the dominance of Lactobacillus diminishes, leading to increased microbial diversity and disrupting the balance between the reproductive tract's microbiota and immune system cells. In infertile women, this imbalance is marked by a decrease in Lactobacillus populations and the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the reproductive system. Recent research has increasingly focused on the connection between the microbiota composition of the female reproductive tract and the success of assisted reproductive technologies. Findings suggest that a higher presence of Lactobacillus in the endometrium is strongly linked to successful pregnancy outcomes following these procedures. The scientific literature indicates that the microbiota of the female reproductive system may hold promise as both a diagnostic tool and a therapeutic target for infertility treatment.
Conclusion. The microbiota of the female reproductive tract is strongly associated with infertility. Advancing research in this area could lead to the development of new diagnostic tools and treatment options for infertility.
