Changes in the predominant human Lactobacillus flora during in vitro fertilisation
2008

Changes in Vaginal Lactobacillus Flora During IVF

Sample size: 17 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Jakobsson Tell, Forsum Urban

Primary Institution: Linköping University

Hypothesis

How does the vaginal Lactobacillus flora change during in vitro fertilization treatment?

Conclusion

The study found that the Lactobacillus flora can shift in response to changing estrogen levels during IVF treatment.

Supporting Evidence

  • 10 out of 17 patients maintained a consistent presence of L. crispatus, L. gasseri, and/or L. jensenii.
  • Three patients showed a shift in their vaginal flora to species typically found in healthy women as estrogen levels increased.

Takeaway

This study looked at how the good bacteria in women's vaginas change when they are getting ready for IVF treatment.

Methodology

The study involved culturing vaginal fluids from patients undergoing IVF and analyzing the Lactobacillus species present using pyrosequencing.

Limitations

The study had a small sample size and excluded patients with abnormal vaginal flora.

Participant Demographics

Women undergoing IVF treatment, with a normal vaginal status according to Amsel and Nugent criteria.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1476-0711-7-14

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