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MSystems Apr 2023Extensive research has explored the causes of embryo losses during early pregnancy by analyzing interaction mechanisms in sows' uterus, ignoring the importance of the...
Extensive research has explored the causes of embryo losses during early pregnancy by analyzing interaction mechanisms in sows' uterus, ignoring the importance of the lower reproductive tract in pregnancy development regulation. Despite recent progress in understanding the diversity of vaginal microbes under different physiological states, the dynamic of sows' vaginal microbiotas during pregnancy and the interaction between vaginal microbes and the host are poorly understood. Here, we performed a comprehensive analysis of sows' vaginal microbial communities in early pregnancy coupled with overall patterns of vaginal mucosal epithelium gene expression. The vaginal microbiota was analyzed by 16s rRNA or metagenome sequencing, and the vaginal mucosal epithelium transcriptome was analyzed by RNA sequencing, followed by integration of the data layers. We found that the sows' vaginal microbiotas in early pregnancy develop dynamically, and there is a homeostasis balance of and . Subsequently, we identified two pregnancy-specific communities, which play diverse roles. The microbes in the vagina stimulate the epithelial cells, while vaginal epithelium changes its structure and functions in response to stimulation. These changes produce specific inflammation responses to promote pregnancy development. Our findings demonstrate the interaction between microbes and host in the sow vagina in early pregnancy to promote pregnancy development, meanwhile providing a reference data set for the study of targeted therapies of microbial homeostasis dysregulation in the female reproductive tract. This work sheds light on the dynamics of the sow vaginal microbiotas in early pregnancy and its roles in pregnancy development. Furthermore, this study provides insight into the functional mechanisms of reproductive tract microbes by outlining vaginal microbe-host interactions, which might identify new research and intervention targets for improving pregnancy development by modulating lower reproductive tract microbiota.
Topics: Pregnancy; Animals; Female; Swine; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Vagina; Uterus; Microbiota; Metagenome
PubMed: 36749039
DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01192-22 -
Anaerobe Jun 2017Transport systems are used to collect and maintain the viability of microorganisms. Two Amies media based transport systems, BD CultureSwab™ MaxV(+) Amies Medium...
Transport systems are used to collect and maintain the viability of microorganisms. Two Amies media based transport systems, BD CultureSwab™ MaxV(+) Amies Medium without Charcoal (MaxV(+)) and Fisherfinest with Amies gel Transport Medium without charcoal (Fisherfinest) were compared to a Cary-Blair media based transport system, Starswab Anaerobic Transport System (Starswab), for their capacity to maintain the viability of 17 clinical microorganisms commonly isolated from the vagina (Lactobacillus crispatus, L. jensenii, L. iners, group B streptococci, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Atopobium vaginae, Peptoniphilus harei, Mycoplasma hominis, Gardnerella vaginalis, Dialister microaerophilus, Mobiluncus curtisii, Prevotella amnii, P. timonensis, P. bivia, and Porphyromonas uenonis). Single swabs containing mixtures of up to five different species were inoculated in triplicate and held at 4 °C and room temperature for 24, 48, 72, and 96 h (h). At each time point, swabs were eluted into a sterile salt solution, serially diluted, inoculated onto selected media, and incubated. Each colony type was quantified and identified. A change in sample stability was reported as a ≥1 log increase or decrease in microorganism density from baseline. Overall, the viability of fastidious anaerobes was maintained better at 4 °C than room temperature. At 4 °C all three transport systems maintained the viability and prevented replication of C. albicans, E. faecalis, GBS, and E. coli. Microorganisms having a ≥1 log decrease in less than 24 h at 4 °C included A. vaginae, G. vaginalis, and P. uenonis in Starswab, L. iners, A. vaginae, and P. amnii in MaxV(+), and A. vaginae, G. vaginalis, P. bivia, and P. amnii in Fisherfinest. At 48 h at 4 °C, a ≥1 log decrease in concentration density was observed for P. harei and P. amnii in Starswab, G. vaginalis, P. bivia and P. uenonis in MaxV(+), and L. iners, P. harei, P. timonensis, and P. uenonis in Fisherfinest. Overall, at 4 °C the viability and stability of vaginal microorganisms was maintained better in the Cary-Blair based transport system (Starswab) than in the two Amies based transport systems.
Topics: Colony Count, Microbial; Female; Humans; Microbial Viability; Microbiological Techniques; Refrigeration; Specimen Handling; Time Factors; Vagina
PubMed: 28242337
DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2017.02.019 -
MSphere Jul 2018Women of reproductive age with a dominated vaginal microbiota have a reduced risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV and a vaginal pH of ~4 due to the presence of ~1%...
Women of reproductive age with a dominated vaginal microbiota have a reduced risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV and a vaginal pH of ~4 due to the presence of ~1% (wt/vol) lactic acid. While lactic acid has potent HIV virucidal activity , whether lactic acid present in the vaginal lumen inactivates HIV has not been investigated. Here we evaluated the anti-HIV-1 activity of native, minimally diluted cervicovaginal fluid obtained from women of reproductive age ( = 20) with vaginal microbiota dominated by spp. Inhibition of HIV was significantly associated with the protonated form of lactic acid in cervicovaginal fluid. The HIV inhibitory activity observed in the <3-kDa acidic filtrate was similar to that of the corresponding untreated native cervicovaginal fluid as well as that of clarified neat cervicovaginal fluid subjected to protease digestion. These studies indicate that protonated lactic acid is a major anti-HIV-1 metabolite present in acidic cervicovaginal fluid, suggesting a potential role in reducing HIV transmission by inactivating virus introduced or shed into the cervicovaginal lumen. The -dominated vaginal microbiota is associated with a reduced risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Lactic acid is a major organic acid metabolite produced by lactobacilli that acidifies the vagina and has been reported to have inhibitory activity against bacterial, protozoan, and viral STIs, including HIV infections. However, the anti-HIV properties of lactic acid in native vaginal lumen fluids of women colonized with spp. have not yet been established. Our study, using native cervicovaginal fluid from women, found that potent and irreversible anti-HIV-1 activity is significantly associated with the concentration of the protonated (acidic, uncharged) form of lactic acid. This work advances our understanding of the mechanisms by which vaginal microbiota modulate HIV susceptibility and could lead to novel strategies to prevent women from acquiring HIV or transmitting the virus during vaginal intercourse and vaginal birth.
Topics: Adult; Body Fluids; Female; HIV-1; Humans; Lactic Acid; Microbial Viability; Vagina; Young Adult
PubMed: 29976641
DOI: 10.1128/mSphere.00055-18 -
Glycobiology Jun 2021Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition of the vaginal microbiome in which there are few lactobacilli and abundant anaerobic bacteria. Members of the genus Gardnerella... (Review)
Review
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition of the vaginal microbiome in which there are few lactobacilli and abundant anaerobic bacteria. Members of the genus Gardnerella are often one of the most abundant bacteria in BV. BV is associated with a wide variety of poor health outcomes for women. It has been recognized since the 1980s that women with BV have detectable and sometimes markedly elevated levels of sialidase activity in vaginal fluids and that bacteria associated with this condition produce this activity in culture. Mounting evidence collected using diverse methodologies points to the conclusion that BV is associated with a reduction in intact sialoglycans in cervicovaginal secretions. Here we review evidence for the contributions of vaginal bacteria, especially Gardnerella, in the processes of mucosal sialoglycan degradation, uptake, metabolism and depletion. Our understanding of the impacts of vaginal sialoglycan degradation is still limited. However, the potential implications of sialic acid depletion are discussed in light of our current understanding of the roles played by sialoglycans in vaginal physiology.
Topics: Female; Gardnerella vaginalis; Humans; Mucus; Neuraminidase; Vagina; Vaginosis, Bacterial
PubMed: 33825850
DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwab024 -
BMC Women's Health Apr 2020Congenital genital tract outflow obstruction may occur at different levels and with different clinical presentations. Winter syndrome was first described in 1968 as an...
BACKGROUND
Congenital genital tract outflow obstruction may occur at different levels and with different clinical presentations. Winter syndrome was first described in 1968 as an association of renal, genital and middle ear anomalies. This syndrome is characterized by autosomal recessive transmission, unilateral or bilateral renal hypoplasia, distal vaginal atresia, and moderate to severe conductive hearing loss with malformation of the ossicles. The diagnosis is usually made when symptoms of obstruction are obvious. It presents most commonly with primary amenorrhea in a girl with a normal XX genotype, ovarian and hormone function; and cyclical abdominal pain. Ultrasound confirm the physical examination, revealing the presence of a normal uterus and cervix, normal ovaries and fallopian tubes, and a large hematocolpos.
CASE PRESENTATION
This case reports Winter syndrome in a 14-year-old girl which vaginal atresia was managed by a trans perineal vaginal pull through.
CONCLUSIONS
Winter syndrome is a rare congenital condition whose clinical picture is that of an adolescent girl with primary amenorrhea and cyclic pelvic pain due to vaginal atresia, varying degrees of renal dysgenesis and deafness due to malformation of the ossicles of the middle ear. Diagnosis is based on clinical examination and imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging allows assessing the importance of atresia and thus guiding surgical management. The goals of surgical intervention are to provide relief from pain, ensure normal sexual intercourse and to preserve fertility. A thorough knowledge of embryology, pre-operative imaging with MRI and clinical examination is essential to plan an appropriate surgical management.
Topics: Abnormalities, Multiple; Adolescent; Amenorrhea; Fallopian Tubes; Female; Humans; Pelvic Pain; Pregnancy; Ultrasonography; Urogenital Abnormalities; Uterus; Vagina
PubMed: 32316964
DOI: 10.1186/s12905-020-00951-5 -
Fertility and Sterility Mar 2021To demonstrate techniques for successful donor-to-recipient vaginal anastomosis in uterine transplantation including illustration of a tension-free technique.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate techniques for successful donor-to-recipient vaginal anastomosis in uterine transplantation including illustration of a tension-free technique.
DESIGN
This video uses live-action footage from surgery, detailed animations, and illustrations to review the step-by-step technique we use for vaginal anastomosis in uterine transplantation. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained for this experimental surgery.
SETTING
Academic medical center.
PATIENT(S)
Patients undergoing uterine transplantation.
INTERVENTION(S)
Preparation of recipient vagina with illustration of challenges and risk secondary to dense adhesions between bladder and neo-vagina. Use of surgical techniques. Key steps include appropriate preparation of both donor and recipient vaginal tissues and a tension-free closure with horizontal mattress stitches.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)
Intraoperative techniques in the clinical research trial of uterine transplantation.
RESULTS
Successful vaginal anastomosis in the uterine transplantation patient.
CONCLUSION(S)
This video provides a step-by-step guide to vaginal anastomosis in uterine transplantation patients. Our team has applied techniques from vaginal reconstructive surgery in an attempt to reduce the occurrence of postoperative vaginal strictures, with attention to planned donor and recipient anastomosis site tissue preparation and closure of the anastomosis using a tension-free suturing technique.
Topics: Adult; Anastomosis, Surgical; Female; Humans; Organ Transplantation; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Tissue Donors; Treatment Outcome; Uterus; Vagina; Video-Assisted Surgery; Young Adult
PubMed: 32682518
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.05.017 -
Revista Internacional de Andrologia Mar 2024It is estimated that microorganisms colonize 90% of the body surface. In some tracts, such as the genitourinary tract, the microbiota varies throughout life, influenced...
It is estimated that microorganisms colonize 90% of the body surface. In some tracts, such as the genitourinary tract, the microbiota varies throughout life, influenced by hormonal stimulation and sexual practices. This study evaluated the semen differences and presence of , , and in semen samples from patients with symptoms of chronic prostatitis and men asymptomatic for urogenital infections. Fifty-three semen samples were included: 22 samples from men with symptoms of chronic prostatitis and 31 asymptomatic men (control group). In addition to the presence of , , and , semen parameters, total antioxidant capacity of seminal plasma, prostatic antigen and some proinflammatory cytokines were evaluated in each semen sample. Volunteers with symptoms of chronic prostatitis presented a lower percentage of sperm morphology (4.3% control group 6.0%, = 0.004); in the semen samples of volunteers in the group asymptomatic for urogenital infections, microorganisms associated with the vaginal microbiota were detected more frequently. The presence of bacteria in the vaginal microbiota can also benefit male reproductive health, which undergoes various modifications related to lifestyle habits that are susceptible to modification. Microorganisms associated with the vaginal microbiota, such as , , and , may have a protective role against the development of male genitourinary diseases such as prostatitis.
Topics: Humans; Male; Prostatitis; Semen; Adult; Microbiota; Coitus; Gardnerella vaginalis; Lactobacillus; Vagina; Middle Aged; Actinobacteria; Female; Young Adult; Chronic Disease; Case-Control Studies; Semen Analysis; Cytokines
PubMed: 38735876
DOI: 10.22514/j.androl.2024.006 -
A soft elastomer alternative to polypropylene for pelvic organ prolapse repair: a preliminary study.International Urogynecology Journal Feb 2022We compared the impact of a mesh manufactured from the soft elastomer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to that of a widely used lightweight polypropylene (PP) mesh. To...
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS
We compared the impact of a mesh manufactured from the soft elastomer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to that of a widely used lightweight polypropylene (PP) mesh. To achieve a similar overall device stiffness between meshes, the PDMS mesh was made with more material and therefore was heavier and less porous. We hypothesized that the soft polymer PDMS mesh, despite having more material, would have a similar impact on the vagina as the PP mesh.
METHODS
PDMS and PP meshes were implanted onto the vaginas of 20 rabbits via colpopexy. Ten rabbits served as sham. At 12 weeks, mesh-vagina complexes were explanted and assessed for contractile function, histomorphology, total collagen, and glycosaminoglycan content. Outcome measures were compared using one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis testing with appropriate post-hoc testing.
RESULTS
Relative to sham, vaginal contractility was reduced following the implantation of PP (p = 0.035) but not the softer PDMS (p = 0.495). PP had an overall greater negative impact on total collagen and glycosaminoglycan content, decreasing by 53% (p < 0.001) and 54% (p < 0.001) compared to reductions of 35% (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001) with PDMS. However, there were no significant differences in the contractility, collagen fiber thickness, total collagen, and glycosaminoglycan content between the two meshes.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite having a substantially higher weight, PDMS had a similar impact on the vagina compared to a low-weight PP mesh, implicating soft polymers as potential alternatives to PP. The notion that heavyweight meshes are associated with a worse host response is not applicable when comparing across materials.
Topics: Animals; Elastomers; Female; Humans; Pelvic Organ Prolapse; Polypropylenes; Rabbits; Surgical Mesh; Vagina
PubMed: 33860812
DOI: 10.1007/s00192-021-04792-0 -
Fertility and Sterility Sep 2022To describe the surgical technique of laparoscopically assisted uterovaginal/vestibular anastomosis in patients with cervical atresia associated with partial or complete...
OBJECTIVE
To describe the surgical technique of laparoscopically assisted uterovaginal/vestibular anastomosis in patients with cervical atresia associated with partial or complete absence of the vagina.
DESIGN
Surgical video article. Local institutional review board approval and written permission from the patients were obtained.
SETTING
Tertiary referral center.
PATIENT(S)
The surgical video presents surgical correction in 3 different patients with cervical agenesis. The first patient, aged 14 years, had a normoconformed uterus and total absence of the vagina. The second patient, aged 12 years, demonstrated a left unicornuate uterus and partial absence of the vagina. The third patient, aged 13 years, displayed a right unicornuate uterus and total absence of the vagina.
INTERVENTION(S)
Laparoscopic time and perineal time. During laparoscopy, the entire abdominopelvic cavity was assessed to evaluate the uterine morphology and size to exclude anomalies such as hematometra. The adnexa and adhesions were evaluated and any endometrial flare-ups were treated appropriately. A laparoscopic ultrasound probe was used to evaluate the size and location of the endometrial cavity. In cases with total absence of vaginas, an H-shaped incision in the hymenal dimple allowed a larger area of available tissue for the anastomosis. A tunnel was then created by blunt finger dissection between the bladder and rectum. Simultaneously, the uterus was pushed caudally by an assistant while the operator grasped it from below using an internal probe. A circular myometrial incision at the uterine caudal body allowed to reach the endometrial cavity and open it. The edges of the uterine cavity were then anastomized with the edges of the hymenal incision. In cases with partial absence of vaginas, the creation of the tunnel between the vagina and rectum was not necessary and the open uterus was anastomosed with the margins of the vaginal dome, engraved on the guide of a metal dilator. All patients received broad-spectrum antibiotics (i.e., cephalosporins of the last available generation) on the day before surgery and on the day of surgery.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)
Intraoperative anatomic and ultrasound data, neovaginal length, and recovery of menstrual function 180 days after surgery.
RESULT(S)
The surgical procedure was successful in all cases. No major complications were recorded, and in particular, no bladder or rectal injuries occurred. No stenosis of the neocervix was recorded. The main hospital stay of the patients was 3.5 ± 1.5 days. In each case, the neovagina developed gradually over time after surgery because of the upward traction action exerted by the uterus through its natural ligament apparatus (cardinal ligaments and ovarian vessels). This fact eliminated the requirement for the use of a mold after surgery. At the 15-week follow-up, vaginoscopy was performed, with mucus observed at the site of uterovaginal anastomosis in all cases. None of the patients developed infection after surgery because of the avoidance of molds or pessaries and the natural mucus production. Six months after surgery, the length of the neovagina was >4 cm in all 3 cases.
CONCLUSION(S)
Laparoscopic-assisted uterovaginal/vestibular anastomosis may be considered the treatment of choice for patients with cervical atresia associated with partial or complete absence of the vagina.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cephalosporins; Cervix Uteri; Female; Humans; Laparoscopy; Urogenital Abnormalities; Uterine Cervical Diseases; Uterus; Vagina
PubMed: 35817600
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.05.035 -
International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2022The accurate identification of microorganisms belonging to vaginal microflora is crucial for establishing which microorganisms are responsible for microbial shifting...
The accurate identification of microorganisms belonging to vaginal microflora is crucial for establishing which microorganisms are responsible for microbial shifting from beneficial symbiotic to pathogenic bacteria and understanding pathogenesis leading to vaginosis and vaginal infections. In this study, we involved the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technique to compile the spectral signatures of the most significant microorganisms being part of the natural vaginal microbiota and some vaginal pathogens. Obtained data will supply our still developing spectral SERS database of microorganisms. The SERS results were assisted by Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR), which visually discloses some dependencies between spectral images and hence their biochemical compositions of the outer structure. In our work, we focused on the most common and typical of the reproductive system microorganisms ( spp. and spp.) and vaginal pathogens: bacteria (e.g., , , ), fungi (e.g., , ), and protozoa (). The obtained results proved that each microorganism has its unique spectral fingerprint that differentiates it from the rest. Moreover, the discrimination was obtained at a high level of explained information by subsequent factors, e.g., in the inter-species distinction of spp. the first three factors explain 98% of the variance in block Y with 95% of data within the X matrix, while in differentiation between spp. and spp. (natural flora) and pathogen (e.g., ) the information is explained at the level of 45% of the Y matrix with 94% of original data. PLSR gave us insight into discriminating variables based on which the marker bands representing specific compounds in the outer structure of microorganisms were found: for spp. 1400 cm, for fungi 905 and 1209 cm, and for protozoa 805, 890, 1062, 1185, 1300, 1555, and 1610 cm. Then, they can be used as significant marker bands in the analysis of clinical subjects, e.g., vaginal swabs.
Topics: Female; Humans; Least-Squares Analysis; Gardnerella vaginalis; Vagina; Lactobacillus; Microbiota; Bacteria; Bifidobacterium; Vaginosis, Bacterial
PubMed: 36293436
DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012576