Instituto Bernabeu research investigates the impact of the vaginal microbiome on assisted reproduction treatment results

The Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics (JARG) has cited the conclusions that were reached during the research

The microbiome is the set of microorganisms that live in our bodies and, according to a study carried out by Instituto Bernabeu, in the case of patients who are undergoing assisted reproduction treatment, the vaginal microbiome and the vaginal microbiome balance can influence whether or not a woman manages to get pregnant. The researchers studied the microbiome in women and determined that women with a normal vaginal microbiome were more likely to get pregnant.

The American Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics (JARG) has highlighted the importance of this research work. The prestigious publication has cited the research managed by gynaecologist Andrea Bernabeu and performed by the Reproductive Unit; the Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit; and the Reproduction Biology Unit at Instituto Bernabeu.

“We have always believed that the bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms living in our bodies were necessarily harmful, but this is not the case. They play an essential role in ensuring a balanced state of health”, Dr Bernabeu points out. “Thanks to next-generation sequencing techniques, we have been able to analyse microorganisms that we were previously unable to identify.” She goes on to add that “it is currently estimated that only one in every three cells in our organism actually belongs to our body; the rest are from microorganisms.”