Bacterial supplements may boost female fertility
As women get older, their uterine environment changes. This includes a decrease in a beneficial bacterium called Lactobacillus gasseri, which may make conception—whether natural or via in vitro fertilization—difficult. In a study published in the journal Cell Host & Microbe on Aug. 6, researchers show that treating mice and humans with L. gasseri supplements or derived postbiotics may improve…
As women age, their uterus undergoes changes that can impact fertility. A study published in Cell Host & Microbe found that a specific bacterium called Lactobacillus gasseri declines with age, while overall microbial diversity remains stable. Researchers treated mice and humans with L. gasseri supplements or derived postbiotics and discovered that women over 35 had lower levels of this beneficial bacterium, which may hinder conception.
L. gasseri, along with its exopolysaccharides, exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and endometrial cell-adhesion properties, enhancing embryo implantation in older mice. While the study suggests that targeting the uterine microbiome could be a feasible clinical intervention for female fertility, more research is needed to confirm causality and clinical efficacy.
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