New Opportunities for Endometrial Health by Modifying Uterine Microbial Composition: Present or Future?

Current knowledge suggests that the uterus harbours its own microbiota, where the microbes could influence the uterine functions in health and disease; however, the core uterine microbial composition and the host-microbial relationships remain to be fully elucidated. Different studies are indicating, based on next-generation sequencing techniques, that microbial dysbiosis could be associated with several gynaecological disorders, such as endometriosis, chronic endometritis, dysfunctional menstrual bleeding, endometrial cancer, and infertility. Treatments using antibiotics and probiotics and/or prebiotics for endometrial microbial dysbiosis are being applied. Nevertheless there is no unified protocol for assessing the endometrial dysbiosis and no optimal treatment protocol for the established dysbiosis. With this review we outline the microbes (mostly bacteria) identified in the endometrial microbiome studies, the current treatments offered for bacterial dysbiosis in the clinical setting, and the future possibilities such as pro- and prebiotics and microbial transplants for modifying uterine microbial composition.

The structure of immunocompetent decidual cells in recurrent missed abortions.

Background/Aim: Recurrent or habitual missed abortions (RMA) are defined as three or more consecutive abortions. In the first trimester of pregnancy habitual missed abortions occur in about 1% of population. The aim of this immunohistochemical study of decidua in RMA of unknown etiology was to identify subpopulations of decidual lymphocytes in recurrent miscarriages and compare the distribution of immunocompetent cells in artificial abortions and RMA. Methods. The study included 30 women with at least 2 consecutive miscarriages in the first trimester of pregnancy. Curettements of the third missed abortion were immunohistochemically analyzed. The control group consisted of 20 women without loaded reproductive anamnesis, with the abortion for social reasons. Criteria for exclusion from the study were diagnosed uterine anomalies, positive screening for thrombophilia and women who suffered from diabetes mellitus and disorders in the function of the thyroid gland. Immunophenotyping was performed by immuno-alkaline phosphatase (APAAP) using monoclonal antibodies: CD 30, CD 45 RO, CD 56 and CD 57, CD 68. Methods: The number of missed abortions (1,223) was on the average 9.7% of all deliveriies during the test period. Among them RMA were registered in 52 (4.2%) patients and in 30 (57%) the exact etiology of abortions was not determined. RMA was most common in the 25-34 years of age group. The largest number of RMA showed the ultrasound characteristics of missed abortion in 60% of cases and was in nulliparous patients (76.7%). The number of NK CD56 positive cells did not differ significantly between the types of abortion. In the decidual tissue, a number of NK CD57 positive cells was significantly higher in missed abortions compared to artificial interruptions (p < 0.01). In artificial termination of pregnancy there was an absolute predominance of CD45RO lymphocyte subpopulations, whereas in the RMA group there was slightly greater predominance of CD30 positive cells. The completed analysis showed a significantly higher number of CD68 positive macrophages in a decidual tissue of RMA pregnancy (p < 0.01). Results: The number and phenotypic structure of NK cells are significantly different in normal pregnancy decidua and in RMA. The NK cell dominance is present in the RMA group, in favor of CD56+ and CD 57 of subpopulations with increased CD30 of T lymphocyte subpopulations. Macrophages are more numerous in the decidua of pregnancies ended in abortion, so the cause to RMA of unknown etiology in a number of cases could be disregulation of immunocompetent cells.

Are there any association between polycistic ovary syndrome and congenital abnormalities of Müllerian ducts.

BACKGROUND/AIM: There are many specificities of merital infertility and sometimes surprising connections between some thinks with no connections at first sight. Examinations of these patients imply diagnostic actions such as the blood basal hormone sample, doing hysterosalpingography, ultrahysterosonography, ultrasound examinations, and sometimes laparoscopy and hysteroscopy if there are necessary. The aim of the study was to determine the characteristics of the connection between policystic ovary (PCO) syndrome (Sy) and congenital Müllerian ducts abnormalities. METHODS: This study included 356 patients treated in the period from January 1, to December 31, 2009, in the Department of Infertility of the Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynecology in Nis, Serbia. Exclusion criteria were no myoma, ovary cysts, tubal and male factors of infertility. RESULTS: A total of 180 patients were divided into 3 groups: the group I with PCO sy, the group II with uterine congenital malformation and the group III with a combination of these disorders. The middle age of patients was 29.6 +/- 4.8, body mass index (BMI) was 26.1 +/- 4,8 kg/m2 the middle thicknes of endometrium was 5.2 + 2.7 mm, and there were no significant differences between the examined groups. There were no significant among in a number of miscarriages in the examined groups. We found that PCO Sy and congenital abnormalities of Müllerian ducts were conjoint in 30% of examined patients. CONCLUSION: Conjoined PCO Sy and congenital abnormalities of Müllerian ducts do not result in a higher number of miscarriages than only either PCO Sy or abnormalities of Müllerian ducts. It is important to check BMI, basal level of follicle stimulating hormone and number of antral follicles because the induction protocol and concentracion of inductors depends on these characteristics, thus, the succsessful cycles and pregnancy.

Insulin resistance and C-reactive protein in preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is referred to as the "disease of the theories" because of the multiple hypotheses proposed to explain is occurrence. Despite considerable research, the causes of preeclampsia remain unclear. Preeclampsia is likely to be multifactorial in origin, and recent research has focused on endothelial dysfunction as a central abnormality in preeclampsia. Insulin resistance and inflammation may contribute to the onset of preeclampsia. They could also be correlated. The aim of the study was to evaluate the presence and relationship between insulin resistance and its markers and C-reactive protein as a marker of inflammation. During their third trimester, 17 preeclamptic women and 20 normotensive controls underwent oral glucose tolerance test, basic biochemical analyses and SHBG. Preeclamptic women were more insulin resistant (p=0,004), and they had higher triglycerides levels (p=0,006), uric acid (p=0,002). However, the study groups did not differ in C-reactive protein (CRP), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), high and low-density lipoproteins (HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol). In multiple regression analysis only SHBG (p=0,014) and triglycerides (p=0,003) were associated with insulin sensitivity independently of the body mass index (BMI), weight gain, HDL and LDL, and CRP. Preeclampsia is a state of increased insulin resistance, and CRP as the marker of inflammation was not increased in our research, and not associated with established preeclampsia.

[Assessment of endometrial receptivity by color Doppler and ultrasound imaging].

INTRODUCTION: Color Doppler sonography is a new method used to investigate changes during the menstrual cycle in infertile women. The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation of uterine and endomterial-subendomterial blood flow in infertile women using ultrasound and color Doppler sonography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective clinical study included 65 infertile women divided into three groups. Transvaginal ultrasound examination was performed on days XI, XIV and XX All results were statistically analyzed. We investigated the correlation between cycles, pregnancy outcome and distribution of endomterial-subendomterial blood flow, as well as uterine arterial blood flow. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Endomterial-subendometerial blood flow distribution pattern assessed by transvaginal color Doppler, as well as good flow in uterine vessels, are necessery for good pregnancy rates. Thin endomterium, undetectable subendomterial blood flow and higher uterine arterial resistance, were associated with low pregnancy rate and poor outcome.