Vaginal microbiota differences associated with pelvic organ prolapse risk during late gestation in commercial sows

Abstract

During the last decade, sow mortality due to pelvic organ prolapse (POP) has increased. To better understand the biology associated with POP, sows were phenotypically assessed and assigned perineal scores (PS) based on presumed POP risk and categorized as PS1 (low), PS2 (moderate), or PS3 (high). The study objective was to identify changes in sow vaginal microbiota that may be associated with POP. The hypothesis is vaginal microbiota differs between sows with variable risk for POP, and changes in microbiota during late gestation exist between sows with differing risk. Of the 2864 sows scored during gestation week 15, 1.0%, 2.7%, and 23.4% of PS1, PS2, and PS3 sows, respectively, subsequently experienced POP. Vaginal swabs subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed differences in community composition (Bray-Curtis; P < 0.05) and individual operational taxonomic unit (OTU) comparisons between vaginal microbiota of PS1 and PS3 sows at gestation week 15. Further, differences (P < 0.05) in community composition and OTUs (Q < 0.05) were observed in PS3 sows that either did or did not subsequently experience POP. Differences in community structure (alpha diversity measurements; P < 0.05), composition (P < 0.05) and OTUs (Q < 0.05) were observed in gestation week 12 sows scored PS1 compared to week 15 sows scored PS1 or PS3, suggesting sow vaginal microbiota shifts during late gestation differently as POP risk changes. Collectively, these data demonstrate sows with greater POP risk have unique vaginal microflora, for which a better understanding could aid in development of mitigation strategies.

Effects of Preoperative Preparation on the Vaginal Mucosa in Women with Genital Prolapse Associated with Genitourinary Menopausal Syndrome

“…Urogenital disorders in periand postmenopausal women caused by atrophic and dystrophic processes in hormone-dependent tissues of the lower third of the genitourinary tract -the bladder, urethra, vagina, ligamentous apparatus of the small pelvis and pelvic floor muscles should be leveled before surgical treatment. In women, during the aging of the reproductive system, as estrogen saturation decreases, atrophy of the vaginal epithelium progressively worsens, resulting in a deficiency of lactobacilli, which leads to a change in the pH of the medium[11]. So in our study, a critical decrease in lactobacilli in the vagina in women with genital prolapse in postmenopausal women was demonstrated.…”

In vitro biomechanical properties of porcine perineal tissues to better understand human perineal tears during delivery

“…Plus, porcine models are usually used to educate physicians in sphincter injury repair 32–34 . Similarly to humans, uterovaginal prolapses are common in sows 35,36 . In a recent industry study, 21% of sow deaths in the USA could be attributed to pelvic organ prolapse 37…”

“…[32][33][34] Similarly to humans, uterovaginal prolapses are common in sows. 35,36 In a recent industry study, 21% of sow deaths in the USA could be attributed to pelvic organ prolapse. 37 The perineal body is a fibromuscular structure located in the midline of the perineum and provides attachments of the perineal muscles in women.…”

Identification of Bacterial Vaginal Microbiota via Metagenomic Approach

“…Dysbiosis, or changes in the microbiota, has been linked to reproductive failure, and changes in the microbiota may affect susceptibility to gynecological problems. For example, Anaerococcus, Streptococcus, and Veillonella were found in abnormal vaginal bacterial microbiota 37 . Sutterella is a major component of the intestinal microbiota and plays an important role in the dysfunction of human microbiota 38 .…”