The human microbiome contributes to maintaining a balance of physiologic functions. Thanks to the expression of bacterial genes, regulates and integrates human metabolism. However, the microbiome might change according to lifestyle and environmental factors. Additionally, it is associated with pathological states, the so-called “diseases of progress” that mainly affect high-income and developed countries.
The presence of microorganisms in the reproductive tract is well documented, and it has been demonstrated that the resident microflora interacts with the biological mechanisms responsible for conception and implantation. In particular, recent data show a differential profile of seminal microbiome in men with asthenozoospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia and altered bacterial microbiota composition in infected semen samples. Scanty data are provided on the impact of the seminal microbiome on the female tract in natural conception or in patients undergoing assisted reproductive techniques. On the other hand, the vaginal and endometrial microbiota have been suggested to play a role in fertilization.
Moreover, it has been shown that an increase in bacterial taxonomic groups in fetal meconium during gestation is essential for stimulating the immunotolerance of the intestinal immune system.
Considering the above, the response of the microbiota to air pollution and endocrine disruptors stress with a dysbiosis status could be involved in human reproduction failure and pregnancy complications.
Thanks to the technological innovation in metagenomics, nowadays, it is possible to sequence 16S rRNA, a specific RNA gene of each bacterium beneficial to producing ribosomes, and responsible for protein synthesis. The possibility of studying the microbiome/microbiota in various human fluids both from a molecular and a biochemical point of view allows hypothesizing its use as a biomarker in different physiological and pathological conditions.
However, more research is needed to explore further the possible clinical implications and therapeutic interventions such as microbial therapeutics and lifestyle adaptations.
In this Research Topic, we welcome the submission of Original Research, Reviews/Mini-reviews, and Perspective and Opinion articles on the ‘Reproductive Microbiome and its Interplay with the Environment’. This collection accepts articles focusing on human or animal subject research.
Contributions may include but are not limited to studies concerning:
• Environment and microbiome in female and male tracts
• Microbiome unbalance during pregnancy
• Interaction between maternal immune system and microbiota in the reproductive tract
• Relationship between diet, nutrition, and microbiome in infertile patients
• Microbiome analysis
• Microbiome dysbiosis and human reproduction failure
• Environment and microbiome impact on epigenetic regulation
The human microbiome contributes to maintaining a balance of physiologic functions. Thanks to the expression of bacterial genes, regulates and integrates human metabolism. However, the microbiome might change according to lifestyle and environmental factors. Additionally, it is associated with pathological states, the so-called “diseases of progress” that mainly affect high-income and developed countries.
The presence of microorganisms in the reproductive tract is well documented, and it has been demonstrated that the resident microflora interacts with the biological mechanisms responsible for conception and implantation. In particular, recent data show a differential profile of seminal microbiome in men with asthenozoospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia and altered bacterial microbiota composition in infected semen samples. Scanty data are provided on the impact of the seminal microbiome on the female tract in natural conception or in patients undergoing assisted reproductive techniques. On the other hand, the vaginal and endometrial microbiota have been suggested to play a role in fertilization.
Moreover, it has been shown that an increase in bacterial taxonomic groups in fetal meconium during gestation is essential for stimulating the immunotolerance of the intestinal immune system.
Considering the above, the response of the microbiota to air pollution and endocrine disruptors stress with a dysbiosis status could be involved in human reproduction failure and pregnancy complications.
Thanks to the technological innovation in metagenomics, nowadays, it is possible to sequence 16S rRNA, a specific RNA gene of each bacterium beneficial to producing ribosomes, and responsible for protein synthesis. The possibility of studying the microbiome/microbiota in various human fluids both from a molecular and a biochemical point of view allows hypothesizing its use as a biomarker in different physiological and pathological conditions.
However, more research is needed to explore further the possible clinical implications and therapeutic interventions such as microbial therapeutics and lifestyle adaptations.
In this Research Topic, we welcome the submission of Original Research, Reviews/Mini-reviews, and Perspective and Opinion articles on the ‘Reproductive Microbiome and its Interplay with the Environment’. This collection accepts articles focusing on human or animal subject research.
Contributions may include but are not limited to studies concerning:
• Environment and microbiome in female and male tracts
• Microbiome unbalance during pregnancy
• Interaction between maternal immune system and microbiota in the reproductive tract
• Relationship between diet, nutrition, and microbiome in infertile patients
• Microbiome analysis
• Microbiome dysbiosis and human reproduction failure
• Environment and microbiome impact on epigenetic regulation
