Endometrial whole metabolome profile at the receptive phase: influence of Mediterranean Diet and infertility

March 18, 2025

  • Women’s Health
    Women’s Health

    Women’s health, a vital aspect of medical science, encompasses various conditions unique to women’s physiological makeup. Historically, women were often excluded from clinical research, leading to a gap in understanding the intricacies of women’s health needs. However, recent advancements have highlighted the significant role that the microbiome plays in these conditions, offering new insights and potential therapies. MicrobiomeSignatures.com is at the forefront of exploring the microbiome signature of each of these conditions to unravel the etiology of these diseases and develop targeted microbiome therapies.

Last Updated: 2024

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Karen Pendergrass

Karen Pendergrass is a microbiome researcher specializing in microbiome-targeted interventions (MBTIs). She systematically analyzes scientific literature to identify microbial patterns, develop hypotheses, and validate interventions. As the founder of the Microbiome Signatures Database, she bridges microbiome research with clinical practice. In 2012, based on her own investigative research, she became the first documented case of FMT for Celiac Disease—four years before the first published case study.

What was studied?

The study focused on analyzing the receptive-phase endometrial metabolome profiles among women with infertility and examining their associations with adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD). It aimed to identify metabolomic signatures that could influence the intrauterine environment and impact reproductive outcomes.

 

Who was studied?

The study involved 45 women of infertile couples, recruited at the Reproductive Unit of Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada. These women were diagnosed with various types of infertility, including endometriosis, recurrent implantation failure, unexplained infertility, and male factor infertility.

 

What were the most important findings?

Key findings from the study revealed that 925 distinct metabolites were identified in the endometrial tissue, with lipids, particularly polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), constituting the largest group. Women diagnosed with endometriosis and recurrent implantation failure exhibited lower levels of PUFAs compared to those with male factor or unexplained infertility. Additionally, adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) was linked to specific changes in the endometrial metabolomic profile, suggesting that diet could influence the uterine environment depending on the individual’s health status.

 

What are the greatest implications of this study?

The implications of this study are significant for reproductive health. The findings suggest that the Mediterranean Diet may positively influence the endometrial environment and potentially enhance reproductive outcomes through its effects on specific metabolomic profiles. Metabolomic profiling emerges as a powerful tool for identifying biomarkers of endometrial health and designing targeted interventions to support successful embryo implantation and fertility. Additionally, further research could develop diet-based therapeutic strategies that improve endometrial receptivity and manage infertility, underscoring the crucial role of lifestyle factors in reproductive health.

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