Characteristics of the vaginal microbiome in women with premature ovarian insufficiency

Abstract

Purpose To investigate the relationship between vaginal microbial community structure and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). Methods Twenty-eight women with POI and 12 healthy women were recruited at Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital between August and September 2020. Blood samples were collected for glucose tests and detection of sex hormone levels and vaginal secretions were collected for microbial group determination. Vaginal microbial community profiles were analysed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing using the Illumina MiSeq system (Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA, USA). Results Compared to the controls, the serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and the follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone ratio, significantly increased, and oestradiol and anti-Müllerian hormone levels significantly decreased in women with POI. Higher weighted UniFrac values were observed in women with POI than in healthy women. Bacteria in the genera Lactobacillus, Brevundimonas, and Odoribacter were more abundant in the microbiomes of healthy women, while the quantity of bacteria in the genus Streptococcus was significantly increased in the microbiomes of women with POI. Moreover, these differences in microbes in women with POI were closely related to follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, oestradiol, and anti-Müllerian hormone levels and to the follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone ratio. Conclusions Women with POI had altered vaginal microbial profiles compared to healthy controls. The alterations in their microbiomes were associated with serum hormone levels. These results will improve our understanding of the vaginal microbial community structure in women with POI. Trial registration CHICTR, ChiCTR2000029576. Registered 3 August 2020 - Retrospectively registered, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=48844.

Vaginal Microbiota Changes in Patients With Premature Ovarian Insufficiency and Its Correlation With Ovarian Function

“…Early studies established the paradigm that, following menopause, vaginal Lactobacillus decreases, and overall bacterial levels and diversity are altered ( 22 ). Similar results have been observed in women with POF ( 23 , 24 ). POI, POF, early menopause, and natural menopause reflect different stages of ovarian aging.…”

“…Wu et al. also found a significant decrease in Lactobacillus in POI patients with FSH > 40 IU/L ( 24 ).…”

“…Wang et al found that the relative abundance of Lactobacillus was significantly reduced in POF patients and it is less abundant in postmenopausal women than in POF patients (23). Wu et al also found a significant decrease in Lactobacillus in POI patients with FSH > 40 IU/ L (24).…”

Nanopore-based metagenomics analysis reveals microbial presence in amniotic fluid: A prospective study

“…Although direct evidence of this genus has not been found in AF, relevant studies have been conducted in other contexts. For instance, recent research indicated that Brevundimonas content in peritoneal fluid was lower in patients with endometriosis compared to healthy controls [ 104 ]; in the context of vaginal microbiota, Brevundimonas was found to be more abundant in healthy women than in women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) [ 105 ]. Additionally, in a study by Liu et al, Brevundimonas was detected in endometrial tissue samples of patients with recurrent miscarriages but not in the corresponding endometrial fluid [ 106 ]; however, this study did not compare it with samples from healthy individuals.…”

Change of the vaginal microbiome with oral contraceptive therapy in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a 6-month longitudinal cohort study

“…Our previous cross-sectional study indicated that neither the Shannon index nor the specific species were significantly associated with AMH levels in women with PCOS [ 8 ]. Increased testosterone in PCOS patients might result in acne and hirsutism, which cause a lot of distress and is significantly associated with changes in the vaginal microbiome in premature ovarian insufficiency patients [ 39 ]. T did not increase in all women with PCOS, and after hormone therapy, the effect of the difference on the vaginal microbiome is unknown.…”