High serum AMH inhibits pathological growth of the low biomass endometrial microbiome

S. Ersahin, A. Ersahin, N.D. Gungor, K. Gungor, D. Yalçın, C. Ersahin, N. Celik

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Altinbas University, Istanbul, Turkey. suphanersahin@hotmail.com

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• Gynecology

OBJECTIVE: Although host microbiome play a role in both hormonal status and fertility, this issue has not yet been clarified. Since the endometrium is a sterile tissue, it is accepted that microbiota does not grow under normal conditions. The aim of the study was to reveal the characteristics of endometrial microbiota according to serum AMH levels in women with implantation failure.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-five women aged 20-30 years with two or more implantation failures were included in the study. They were divided into 3 groups according to their serum AMH values: Group 1 -AMH <1.3 ng/ml; Group 2 – AMH between 1.3-2.6 ng/ml; Group 3 – AMH >2.6 ng/ml. Twenty-two healthy fertile women who were the same age as the infertile group and applied for cervical smear screening were accepted as the control group. Following the embryo transfer, the tip of the catheter was inserted into the transport medium under sterile conditions. Sowing was carried out by touching the tips of the catheter to the blood agar medium. After the evaluation of the petri dishes at the end of 48 hours of incubation, colonies were stained with Gram stain. Microorganisms in the colonies were identified with the Vitek-2 device according to their gram-staining characteristics and their antibiograms were made.

RESULTS: A negative correlation was detected between low AMH values and the microbiome detection rates in endometrial cultures. In patients with low serum AMH levels, the chance of endometrial microbiota growth was higher in the endometrial culture medium. The most common bacteria were found to be MSSA, MRKNS and lactobacillus. Clinical pregnancy rates were found to be significantly higher in the group with high AMH levels. As AMH levels increased, positive flora detection rates decreased, while clinical pregnancy rates increased.

CONCLUSIONS: Low serum AMH level increases the rate of positive endometrial microbiome in culture and decreases clinical pregnancy rates.

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