AUTHOR=Zhang Fenghao , Dai Jie , Chen Tingtao 

TITLE=Role of Lactobacillus in Female Infertility Via Modulating Sperm Agglutination and Immobilization

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2020

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2020.620529

DOI=10.3389/fcimb.2020.620529

ISSN=2235-2988

ABSTRACT=Infertility has become a common problem in recent decades. The pathogenesis of infertility is variable, but microbiological factors account for a large proportion of it. Dysbiosis of vaginal microbiota is reportedly associated with female infertility, but the influence of normal vaginal microbiota on infertility is unclear. In this review, we summarise the physiological characteristics of the vaginal tract and vaginal microbiota communities. We mainly focus on the bacterial adherence of vaginal Lactobacillus species. Given that the adherent effect plays a crucial role in the colonisation of bacteria, we hypothesise that the adherent effect of vaginal Lactobacillus may also influence the fertility of the host. We also analyse the agglutination and immobilisation effect of other bacteria, especially Escherichia coli, on ejaculated spermatozoa, and speculate on the possible effects of normal vaginal microbiota on female fertility.