What are the implications of microbial ecosystems for female reproductive health? MDPIOpenAccess NUNM_EDU MicrobialEcosystems FemaleReproductiveHealth ReproductiveHealth
By Tarun Sai LomteOct 31 2022Reviewed by Aimee Molineux In a recent study published in Pathogens, researchers reviewed the current understanding of the composition and temporal dynamics of microbial niches in the female reproductive tract.
Vaginal microbiome A healthy microbiome of the vagina has been described as one dominated compositionally by members of the Lactobacillaceae family. They are well-adapted and act as the first line of defense against pathogen colonization. The fermentation by-product, lactic acid, helps maintain a low vaginal pH between 3.5 and 4.2, inhibiting many invading microbes.
Moreover, inter-species microbial composition variations have been documented across races/ethnicities. African American and Hispanic females favor CST-IV-A, whereas Asian and Caucasian females are Lactobacillus-dominant. CSTs can also change with cyclical changes in estrogen, pH, menses, glycogen content, and the introduction of exogenous bacterial species.
Nevertheless, immunosuppression may make women susceptible to deleterious growth of commensals and pathogenic microbes, possibly leading to sexually-transmitted infections . Besides, contraception can also impact the female microbial environment. Hormonal intra-uterine devices cause changes in estrogen levels leading to protective effects in the vaginal microbiome, whereas oral hormonal birth control can negatively influence the association between estrogen and gut bacteria.
Immune responses and redox potential Pathogenic bacteria/viruses bind to a toll-like receptor , triggering type 1 helper T-cell or Th17 responses. Th1 response involves macrophages, the cluster of differentiation 8 T cells, and interferon -γ, while the Th17 response is characterized by interleukin -17A, IL-17F, and IL-22. Pathogenic bacteria lead neutrophils and macrophages to generate reactive oxygen species , which affect the redox potential and pH in the uterus and vagina.
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