Non-human primate models for understanding the impact of the microbiome on pregnancy and the female reproductive tract

Abstract

The microbiome has been demonstrated or implicated to be involved in multiple facets of human health and disease, including not only gastrointestinal health, but metabolism, immunity, and neurology. While the predominant focus of microbiome research has been on the gut, other microbial communities such as the vaginal or oral microbiome are likely involved in physiological homeostasis. Emerging studies also aim to understand the role of different microbial niches, such as the endometrial or placental microbial communities, on the physiology and pathophysiology of reproduction, including their impact on reproductive success and the etiology of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). The study of the microbiome during pregnancy, specifically how changes in maternal microbial communities can lead to dysfunction and disease, can advance the understanding of reproductive health and the etiology of APOs. In this review we will discuss the current state of non-human primate (NHP) reproductive microbiome research, highlight the progress with NHP models of reproduction, and the diagnostic potential of microbial alterations in a clinical setting to promote pregnancy health. NHP reproductive biology studies have the potential to expand knowledge and understanding of female reproductive tract (FRT) microbial communities and host-microbe or microbe-microbe interactions associated with reproductive health through sequencing and analysis. Furthermore, in this review we aim to demonstrate that macaques are uniquely suited as high-fidelity models of human female reproductive pathology.

Significant Microbial Changes Are Evident in the Reproductive Tract of Pregnant Rhesus Monkeys at Mid-Gestation but Their Gut Microbiome Does Not Shift until Late Gestation

“…Notwithstanding these caveats, which can be addressed in future studies, the findings do advance our comparative knowledge of nonhuman primates and highlight their value as a model for investigating many clinical conditions [ 107 ]. Significant differences in the taxonomic composition of bacteria in the vagina were observed by mid-gestation, and the shift involved an increase in bacterial diversity, rather than the more pronounced dominance of Lactobacillus seen in healthy, pregnant women.…”