Altered Endometrial Microbiota Profile Is Associated With Poor Endometrial Receptivity of Repeated Implantation Failure

Purpose

To gain insight into the endometrial pathophysiology of unexplained repeated implantation failure (RIF), we examined the characteristics of genital tract microbiota and explored the correlation between the microbiota and endometrial receptivity.

Methods

Vaginal secretion (VS) and endometrial biopsy (EB) samples were collected from patients with RIF (RIF group, n = 32) and those with infertility who had achieved pregnancy during their initial embryo transfer cycle (control group, n = 18). 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing and quantitative PCR were performed to characterize the microbiota of the two groups. Spearman's correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationship between endometrial receptivity markers and endometrial microbiota.

Results

Endometrial microbiota exhibited distinct characteristics from vaginal microbiota, with a higher alpha-diversity. Alpha-diversity of the endometrial microbiota was higher in the RIF group than in the control group. Compared with the control group, the RIF group had a significant decrease in endometrial Lactobacillus abundance and an increase in Gardnerella and Acinetobacter abundances. The expression levels of endometrial receptivity markers, including homeobox A11, integrin αvβ3, leukemia inhibitor factor, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and vascular endothelial growth factor, were lower in the RIF group than in the control group. Moreover, the expression levels of these markers were correlated with endometrial Lactobacillus, Gardnerella, and Acinetobacter abundances.

Conclusion

RIF is characterized by endometrial microbiota dysbiosis and poor endometrial receptivity. Moreover, abnormal endometrial microbiota is associated with impaired endometrial receptivity, which may be a potential cause of unexplained RIF.