Effect of the vaginal microbiome on the pregnancy rate in women receiving assisted reproductive treatment.

PURPOSE: To investigate if the vaginal microbiome influences the IVF outcome. METHODS: Thirty-one patients undergoing assisted reproductive treatment (ART) with own or donated gametes and with cryotransfer of a single euploid blastocyst were recruited for this cohort study. Two vaginal samples were taken during the embryo transfer procedure, just before transferring the embryo. The V3 V4 region of 16S rRNA was used to analyze the vaginal microbiome, and the bioinformatic analysis was performed using QIIME2, Bioconductor Phyloseq, and MicrobiomeAnalyst packages. Alpha diversity was compared between groups according to the result of the pregnancy test. RESULTS: Fourteen (45.2%) patients did not and seventeen (54.8 %) did achieve pregnancy under ART. A greater index of alpha diversity was found in patients who did not achieve pregnancy comparing to those who did, although this difference was not significant (p = 0.088). In the analysis of beta diversity, no statistically significant differences were observed between groups established as per the pregnancy status. Samples from women who achieved pregnancy showed a greater presence of Lactobacillus spp. The cluster analysis identified two main clusters: the first encompassed the genera Lactobacillus, Gardnerella, Clostridium, Staphylococcus, and Dialister, and the second included all other genera. Women who achieved pregnancy were mainly detected microorganisms from the first cluster. CONCLUSIONS: The vaginal microbiome can influence the results of ART. The profiles dominated by Lactobacillus were associated with the achievement of pregnancy, and there was a relationship between the stability of the vaginal microbiome and the achievement of pregnancy.

Results of High-Protein, High-Calorie Oral Nutritional Supplementation in Malnourished Older People in Nursing Homes: An Observational, Multicenter, Prospective, Pragmatic Study (PROT-e-GER).

OBJECTIVES: To assess if the impact of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) on nutritional and functional status in malnourished older persons living in nursing homes shown by clinical trials are also found outside a trial setting. DESIGN: Observational, multicenter, prospective, pragmatic study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This study was carried out in 38 nursing homes throughout Spain. Nursing home physicians recruited consecutive residents, older than 65 years, with a diagnosis of malnutrition, when a clinical decision to start ONS had been taken after unsuccessful initial management with dietary interventions. INTERVENTION: The participants received daily 2 bottles of an energy-rich, high-protein commercial ONS for 3 months. MEASURES: Primary outcomes were changes in nutritional status [body weight, body mass index (BMI), and Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF)]; secondary outcomes were functional changes [Functional Ambulation Classification, Barthel index, handgrip strength, and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)], as well as safety and adherence after 12 weeks of follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 282 residents (median age 86 years, 67% women) were included, and 244 (86.5%) completed the follow-up. At baseline, 77.3% of the participants were malnourished (BMI 19.7 kg/m2, interquartile range 18.3-21.8). After 12 weeks of follow-up, participants experienced significant increases in body weight (2.6 ± 3.1 kg, 5.2 ± 5.9%), BMI (1.0 ± 1.2 kg/m2) and MNA-SF (4.0 ± 2.5 points). There were also significant improvements in functional status measured by the Barthel index, handgrip strength, SPPB, and gait speed. Good adherence was registered in 94.6% of the participants. No relevant side effects were found. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Improvements in nutritional and functional status can be found when using a high-protein, high-calorie ONS in older undernourished people living in nursing homes.