Translocation of vaginal microbiota is involved in impairment and protection of uterine health

Here, the authors present a comparative analyses on vaginal and uterine microbiota in 1223 samples derived from 655 women with chronic endometritis, which, combined with animal experiments, characterize the microbial translocation in the female reproductive tract and its role in modulating uterine health. The vaginal and uterine microbiota play important roles in the health of the female reproductive system. However, the interactions among the microbes in these two niches and their effects on uterine health remain unclear. Here we profile the vaginal and uterine microbial samples of 145 women, and combine with deep mining of public data and animal experiments to characterize the microbial translocation in the female reproductive tract and its role in modulating uterine health. Synchronous variation and increasing convergence of the uterine and vaginal microbiome with advancing age are shown. We also find that transplanting certain strains of vaginal bacteria into the vagina of rats induces or reduces endometritis-like symptoms, and verify the damaging or protective effects of certain vaginal bacteria on endometrium. This study clarifies the interdependent relationship of vaginal bacterial translocation with uterine microecology and endometrial health, which will undoubtedly increase our understanding of female reproductive health.

Automated summary

The study focuses on the comparative analysis of vaginal and uterine microbiota derived from women with chronic endometritis, and characterizes the microbial translocation in the female reproductive tract and its role in modulating uterine health through animal experiments. With advancing age, there is synchronous variation and increasing convergence of the uterine and vaginal microbiome.