Microbiome and Fertility: Gut and Semen Linked to Outcomes

Gut and Seminal Microbiomes May Influence Reproductive Outcomes

According to a new Danish study, gut microbiota imbalance in women and certain microbial composition in semen have been found to be connected to infertility, conception delays, and pregnancy loss. It is believed that the study will help foster the idea of taking a holistic view of reproduction health issues, but it does not prove causality..

Danish Researchers Examine Microbiomes of Couples

In another study conducted in Denmark, researchers have indicated that an imbalance in the microbiome of women and some profiles of microbes found in semen could possibly be linked to infertility, delay in live births and miscarriages. The findings are said to promote a broader, couple-level approach to reproductive health, although not establishing any causal relationship between them.

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This study was conducted by researchers on the vaginal, gut and seminal microbiomes of couples suffering from infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). This was a study involving two independent, multicentre, prospective cohort studies.The first study cohort comprised of couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), while the second cohort consisted of couples having recurrent pregnancy loss. Recurrent pregnancy loss is defined in the study as three or more consecutive pregnancy losses including very early biochemical losses, or two unexplained second trimester losses.The study of the IVF group included 249 women and 95 men or couples, while the study of the RPL group included 104 women and 96 men or couples.Researchers employed deep shotgun metagenomic sequencing for analyzing the genetic makeup of microorganisms in vaginal and gut specimens of women and semen specimens of their male.

Gut Dysbiosis Linked to Lower Reproductive Success

In a recent study, scientists found that an imbalance in gut microbiota in women and some specific compositions of semen microbiota may contribute to infertility, delays in achieving live birth and pregnancy loss. The results of the study, according to the authors, may lead to a broader understanding of a reproductive approach involving both women and men. In Denmark, researchers conducted a study on the vaginal, gut and seminal microbiomes in couples with infertility problems or recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).Two independent, multicentre, prospective cohort studies were conducted. The first group included couples with either in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), while the second group included couples with recurrent pregnancy loss. For RPL, the study considered three or more consecutive pregnancy losses, including biochemical pregnancy losses, or two unexplained pregnancy losses at the second trimester.In the IVF cohort, there were 249 women and 95 men or couples, while in the RPL cohort – 104 women and 96 men or couples.Researchers performed deep shotgun metagenomic sequencing analysis of the genetic material of microorganisms in vaginal and gut samples from women and semen samples from their partners. Further, participants were followed up for reproductive outcomes.

Seminal Microbiome Also Showed an Association

Another aspect investigated by the researchers was the presence of a microbiome in the semen and the connection between some microbial profiles and reproductive outcomes.As there is no proven classification of seminal dysbiosis at the moment, the researchers chose the exploratory classification of seminal vaginal-dysbiosis (V-dysbiosis) that was based on the similarities between seminal microflora profiles and those associated with vaginal dysbiosis.Thus, 57% of couples with seminal V-dysbiosis had live births, while the share of such couples among individuals who lacked this feature was 85%.One of the most interesting results was connected with the pregnancy loss rate, since after combining the results of both cohorts the researchers found that the presence of seminal V-dysbiosis increased the risk of pregnancy loss by 21.4 percentage points.No Consistent Connection Between Vaginal Dysbiosis and Reproductive Outcome.It is worth noting that the researchers did not find any consistent association between vaginal dysbiosis and reproductive outcomes.Thus, it raises the hypothesis that when studying the microbiome of couples trying to conceive one should not limit themselves to only the female reproductive tract, but pay attention to the male partner as well.This happens due to the fact that semen is introduced

Researchers Caution Against Assuming Causation

Nevertheless, researchers highlight the fact that it cannot be claimed based on this research that the disturbance of the microbiome leads to fertility problems or miscarriage.Indeed, this research was observational and did not involve a fertile control group. Furthermore, the seminal V-dysbiosis classification used in this research is still an exploratory one and needs validation by an independent research.Researchers state that more research is required to find out if the modification of the microbiome can help to enhance reproductive function.

A Broader View of Infertility

There are many couples suffering from infertility and recurrent pregnancy losses worldwide, while there is no reason for such disorders in some cases.These latest discoveries can be seen in the context of increasing number of researches about the possible influence of the microbiome on the reproductive health. Although there is still a lot to discover, one can say that these studies may be useful in future investigations of the problems under discussion.