Genital microbiota 16S rRNA reads
The goal of this project is to understand the association between the genital microbiota of couples seeking assisted procreation aid and the outcome of this treatment. Male and female partners will be studied as a unit (couple microbiota) and the interaction between their microbiota will be evaluated. We have characterized microbial samples coming from vagina and penis (swabs), as well as follicular fluid and semen by using next generation sequencing (16S rRNA profiling). Importantly, we had access to clinical data (anonymised) of the patients included in the study and in particular to the results of the fertility treatment process. With this project, we aimed for a better understanding on how the male genital microbiota could influence the lower (vagina) and the upper (follicular fluid) female genital tract.