Development of a Microbiome Non-invasive Diagnosis Tool

Study Summary

Although the endometrium tissue has been traditionally considered free of bacteria, recent studies have documented the presence of an endometrial microbiome. In a pilot study conducted by our research team, the microorganisms present in the endometrium were analysed in samples of endometrial fluid (EF) using next generation sequencing (NGS).Consistent with previously published studies, in normal conditions the endometrium is mainly composed of different species of the genus Lactobacillus. It was further noted that the presence of other pathogenic bacteria such as Streptococcus, and/or Gardnerella may alter the endometrial microbiome and can disrupt the uterine environment, affecting implantation rates and pregnancy success. This project aims to validate the microbiome found in the endometrium of women of reproductive age and try to corroborate the relationship between the endometrial microbiome and the reproductive outcomes in patients undergoing assisted reproduction treatment (ART). The use of Endometrial Receptivity Analysis (ERA) tool, together with the analysis of the endometrial flora before the embryo transfer will allow to evaluate the impact of the presence of endometrial pathogens on implantation in receptive patients. Therefore, the focus of this project is the development and clinical validation of a non-invasive diagnosis tool to analyse the microbiota, adding the microbiome study to the ERA analysis.

Interventions

• PROCEDURE Endometrial biopsy and endometrial fluid collection