The vaginal microbiome as a tool to predict IVF success

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Microbiome Research
• Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)

Background:

• The human microbiome plays a crucial role in reproductive health.
• Understanding the interplay between the reproductive tract microbiome and ART outcomes is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent findings on the reproductive microbiome and its impact on ART.
• To discuss microbiome composition analyses throughout the female reproductive tract during ART.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on reproductive tract microbiome and ART.
• Analysis of studies examining microbial composition in various female reproductive sites.

Main Results:

• Vaginal microbiome composition before ART initiation is predictive of in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) success, primarily with a negative predictive value.
• Cervical microbiome sampling requires extreme caution due to contamination risks.
• Microbiota in other reproductive tract sites require cautious interpretation due to high cross-contamination risks.

Conclusions:

• Local microbiota, including specific microbes, in the female reproductive tract are associated with ART outcomes.
• Vaginal microbiome analysis prior to ART may offer valuable predictive insights.