A Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microbiota is linked to term delivery, while increased diversity is associated with preterm birth.
Microbiota profiling may help identify women at risk for pregnancy complications.
Interpretation:
The maternal microbiome plays an active role in reproductive biology, influencing implantation and pregnancy outcomes through complex interactions with the immune system and metabolic factors.
Limitations:
Technical variability in microbiota analysis.
Low microbial biomass and susceptibility to contamination.
Difficulty in distinguishing causation from correlation.
Conclusion:
Understanding the complexity of the maternal microbiome is crucial for developing next-generation diagnostics and therapeutics in reproductive health.
