What is the Microbiome?
The microbiome is defined as the all the genetic material of the microbes (bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses) that live inside and on the human body. The human microbiota consists of the 10-100 trillion cells harbored by each person, which is made up of primarily bacteria in the gut. However the human microbiome also consists of the genes these cells contain. Microbiome projects worldwide have been initiated with the goal of understanding the roles that these symbiotic cells play and their impacts on human health. It is clear that changes in the normal microbial flora can result in disease, and threaten the health of the human host.
Terminology
Microbiota | The microbial taxa that are associated with an environment and are revealed using molecular techniques such as 16S rRNA sequencing (Cho, Blaser, 2012, Ursell et al, 2012). |
Microbiome | Refers to the habitat as a whole, thus incorporating the biotic and abiotic factors, encompassing host and microorganism genomes and environmental conditions (Cho and Blaser, 2012). |
Dysbiosis | Qualitative and quantitative changes, in the microbiome their metabolic activity and their local distribution (Holzapfel et al., 1998). |
Probiotic | Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host (Sanders, 2008). |
Prebiotic | A non-digestible food ingredient that benefits the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of bacteria in the colon, and thus improves host health (Gibson and Roberfroid, 1995). |
Adapted from Reproductive BioMedicine Online Volume 35, Issue 1, July 2017, Pages 103-112 “What fertility specialists should know about the vaginal microbiome: a review.”
The Microbiome and Fertility and Pregnancy.
New studies have looked at the vaginal microbiome (VMB) and its impact on fertility. Even the health of the baby during pregnancy and after delivery appears to be affected by the microbiome. Newer studies show that an altered microbiome can lead to infertility and increased miscarriage rates. Recent findings from the Human Microbiome Project demonstrate that while many different species of Lactobacillus are present in the vaginal tract, there are a few that predominate. Examining the role of the predominant vaginal lactobacillus microbiota in reproduction and assisted reproductive technology procedures is in its relative early stages; but growing literature supports lactobacillus relevance, with some suggesting that normal lactobacillus counts improve ongoing pregnancy rates in IVF cycles.
The beneficial effects of probiotic supplementation on human health are becoming increasingly recognized by physicians and, given the abundance and impact of micro-organisms in the reproductive tract, it stands to reason that these effects could potentially be harnessed to improve pregnancy and baby outcomes.
How do I Treat low Lactobacillus Counts?
Like the gut, your vagina consists of microorganisms — mostly bacteria, plus some fungi and viruses, together called vaginal microbiome. A healthy vaginal microbiome is characterized by mostly “good” bacteria of the lactobacilli type. Imbalanced vaginal microbiome counts have been shown to be associated with increased rates of bacterial vaginosis, infertility, preterm birth and increased risk of STD.
VagiBiom® line is designed to balance and nurture vaginal microbiome. It uses vaginal probiotics, prebiotics, keeps the vaginal tissue healthy and restores the microbiome. We use VagiBiom® for patients with low lactobacillus counts to restore the normal environment before embryo transfers.