Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract01:28

Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract

53
The human urogenital system, once thought to be sterile in healthy individuals, is now recognized as a complex microbial habitat. Advancements in molecular sequencing techniques have revealed that even in healthy adults, the kidneys and bladder harbor microbial populations similar to those found in the distal urethra, albeit in much lower abundance. These resident microorganisms, while generally innocuous, can become opportunistic pathogens under conditions that alter the urogenital...
53
Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

209
Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity,...
209
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

61
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from...
61
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

65
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
65
The Oral Microbiota01:27

The Oral Microbiota

90
The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
90
Microbiota of the Large Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Large Intestine

98
The large intestine hosts the most densely populated microbial ecosystem in the human body. This complex community primarily consists of anaerobic bacteria, with Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) and Bacteroidota (formerly Bacteroidetes) as the predominant groups. The distribution of these microbes varies along different sections of the large intestine, influenced by local environmental factors such as oxygen availability and nutrient composition.The cecum, located at the beginning of the large...
98

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Src and β-catenin control a senescence-fibrotic phenotype in uterine fibroid cells.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

Surgical resection of longitudinal vaginal septum improves fertility and reproductive capacity in mice.

Reproduction & fertility·2026
Same author

A Systematic Review of the Role of Senescent Cells in Uterine Leiomyomas: Deciphering Molecular Pathways and Exploring Therapeutic Prospects.

Reproductive sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.)·2026
Same author

Probing metazoan polyphosphate biology using <i>Drosophila</i> reveals novel and conserved polyP functions.

eLife·2026
Same author

Beneficial Effects of Fisetin, a Senotherapeutic Compound, in Women's Reproductive Health and Diseases: Evidence from In Vitro to Clinical Studies.

Nutrients·2026
Same author

Spatiotemporal targeting of messenger RNA lipid nanoparticles to the endometrium for the treatment of reproductive disorders.

Nature nanotechnology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 4, 2026

Author Spotlight: Revolutionizing Research on Vaginal Microbiome Interactions Using a Vaginal Chip
08:15

Author Spotlight: Revolutionizing Research on Vaginal Microbiome Interactions Using a Vaginal Chip

Published on: February 16, 2024

3.7K

Microbiota and pelvic inflammatory disease.

Harsha Sharma1, Reshef Tal2, Natalie A Clark3

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mt Sinai School of Medicine Jamaica Program, Queens Hospital Center, Queens, New York.

Seminars in Reproductive Medicine
|January 7, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Female genital tract microbiota are vital for health. Understanding their composition and function can help prevent and treat pelvic infections linked to microbial imbalances.

More Related Videos

Recurrent Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infection Triggered by Gardnerella vaginalis Bladder Exposure in Mice
08:53

Recurrent Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infection Triggered by Gardnerella vaginalis Bladder Exposure in Mice

Published on: December 4, 2020

7.8K
Characterization and Functional Prediction of Bacteria in Ovarian Tissues
10:12

Characterization and Functional Prediction of Bacteria in Ovarian Tissues

Published on: October 23, 2021

2.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 4, 2026

Author Spotlight: Revolutionizing Research on Vaginal Microbiome Interactions Using a Vaginal Chip
08:15

Author Spotlight: Revolutionizing Research on Vaginal Microbiome Interactions Using a Vaginal Chip

Published on: February 16, 2024

3.7K
Recurrent Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infection Triggered by Gardnerella vaginalis Bladder Exposure in Mice
08:53

Recurrent Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infection Triggered by Gardnerella vaginalis Bladder Exposure in Mice

Published on: December 4, 2020

7.8K
Characterization and Functional Prediction of Bacteria in Ovarian Tissues
10:12

Characterization and Functional Prediction of Bacteria in Ovarian Tissues

Published on: October 23, 2021

2.3K

Area of Science:

  • Gynecology
  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • The female genital tract microbiota is essential for maintaining reproductive health.
  • Microbial imbalances are linked to an increased risk of pelvic infections.
  • Culture-independent molecular techniques have advanced the study of genital microbiota.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of female genital tract microbiota composition and its role in health and disease.
  • To highlight the link between abnormal vaginal flora, such as bacterial vaginosis-associated organisms, and pelvic infections.
  • To emphasize the need to identify the function of newly discovered microbes for improved prevention and treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on female genital tract microbiota.
  • Analysis of studies utilizing culture-independent molecular techniques.
  • Synthesis of evidence linking microbial composition to pelvic infection risk.

Main Results:

  • The female genital tract harbors a complex microbiota crucial for health.
  • Upper genital tract may not be sterile, with potential microflora present in a healthy state.
  • Bacterial vaginosis-associated organisms are linked to pelvic infections, establishing a connection with abnormal vaginal flora.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the composition of the genital microbiota in healthy and diseased states is advancing.
  • Identifying the functional roles of specific microbes is the next critical step.
  • This knowledge is expected to enhance the understanding of pelvic infection causation, leading to better prevention and treatment.