Comparison of endometrial microbiota results between patients with unexplained infertility and fertile patients through 16s rrna sequencing method

Although the etiology of unexplained infertility remains unclear, inherent problems in conception and implantation process that cannot be identified with current clinical diagnostic methods might be considered as possible causes. The microbiota refers to the whole community of microorganisms inhabiting in a particular environment. Recent studies showed that even endometrium, formerly considered sterile, contains a bacterial profile. Dysbiosis is defined as the presence of altered microbiota and several diseases are found to be associated with this entity. The aim of this study was to investigate wheter endometrial microbiota profiles among patients with unexplained infertility and fertile patients presents any diversity. In this context, a total of 15 patients with unexplained infertility and 15 patients who had a live birth in the last two years with proven fertility were recruited. Endometrial samples were collected and analysed through 16s rRNA sequencing method. As a result, lactobacillus represented the majority of the bacterium in both groups. The median percentage of the endometrial Lactobacillus between infertile patients and fertile patients was not statistically significant (p= 0.9). Those results once again suggest that the sterile uterus paradigm should be totally abandoned. Further studies with larger sample size are needed to characterize the endometrial microbiata and its impact on reproduction. Keywords: Microbiota, unexplained infertility, endometrial microbiota Supported by: Hacettepe University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit