Microbial Profiles in Follicular Fluid and Their Relationship with Success in Fertilization

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Microbial DNA was detected in 39.6% of follicular fluid samples from women undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment.
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Follicular fluid samples linked to fertilization failure had a higher total bacterial load compared to those associated with successful fertilization.
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Intra-individual variability in bacterial DNA presence was observed, indicating differences between follicles from the same patient.
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Specific bacterial taxa were more frequently found in samples associated with failed fertilization, but no single taxon consistently correlated with outcomes.
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The absence of detectable bacterial DNA in follicular fluid was associated with successful fertilization, highlighting the need for follicle-specific analyses.

Frontiers In Reproductive Health

by Gregor Weiss, Ekaterina Voroshilina, Manfred Koranda, Jennifer Blauensteiner, Michael Schenk
April 15, 2026

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