Female reproductive tract microbiome
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Study of Female Reproductive Tract Microbiome, Dysbiosis, Vaginosis, and Infertility
IRAS ID
356495
Contact name
Sarah Martins da Silva
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Tayside Medical Science Centre
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The female reproductive tract (FRT), like other organs, harbours a community of microbes called its microbiome. This community of microbes has protective effects and helps prevent harmful infections by supporting a healthy vaginal microbiome and inhibits pathogenic organisms by reducing the pH of the vaginal environment through lactic acid production. However, a change in the balance of the microbes, called dysbiosis, can lead to inflammatory condition such as bacterial vaginosis.
Furthermore, growing evidence suggests that vaginal dysbiosis may be associated with infertility, particularly in cases where no clear cause of infertility can be found, also known as ‘unexplained infertility’. With fertility rates reducing in Scotland and across the world, it is essential to investigate whether alterations in the vaginal microbiome contribute to infertility and whether specific microbial signatures can serve as biomarkers for reproductive health.
Therefore, this study proposes a pilot investigation to characterise the vaginal microbiome found in women of a reproductive age group. We hope that by identifying microbial signatures associated with reproductive health, our findings could pave the way for improved diagnostic tools and potential treatments for couples with unexplained infertility.REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SW/0092
Date of REC Opinion
31 Jul 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion