The effect of probiotic supplementation during pregnancy on the interaction network of vaginal microbiome

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#female #humans #microbiota #pregnancy #pregnancy-trimester-third

The effect of probiotic supplementation during pregnancy on the interaction network of vaginal microbiome

Liang et al., 2021 | J Obstet Gynaecol Res | Rct

Citation

Liang Xinyuan, Li Zhe, ... Xiao Xiaomin. The effect of probiotic supplementation during pregnancy on the interaction network of vaginal microbiome. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2021-Jan;47(1):103-113. doi:10.1111/jog.14434

Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation on the vaginal microbiome and provide the effective evidences for clinical management of pregnant women. METHODS: A total of 28 healthy pregnant women at 32 weeks of gestation were enrolled. The women were divided randomly to the probiotic group where they were prescribed with 2 g combined probiotics daily (13 cases) during the third trimester of pregnancy or to the control group (15 cases) on a voluntary basis. Their vaginal samples were taken for analyzing microbiome with the 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing of V4 region. RESULTS: There was no significant difference on the clinical characteristics between the probiotic and control groups. The complexity of vaginal microbial network increased from 32 weeks of gestation to antepartum. Lactobacillus was the dominant microbiota. The probiotic supplementation had no obvious influence on the structure of the vaginal microbiome, whereas the relationships of some pivotal vaginal microbiota at the genus level changed in the probiotic group. CONCLUSION: The vaginal microbiome varied during the third trimester of pregnancy. The features of the vaginal microbiota after probiotic supplementation had shifted and the interaction network had the tendency to be loose. The probiotic supplementation may be useful in regulating the interaction network of vaginal microbiome.

Key Findings

There was no significant difference on the clinical characteristics between the probiotic and control groups. The complexity of vaginal microbial network increased from 32 weeks of gestation to antepartum. Lactobacillus was the dominant microbiota. The probiotic supplementation had no obvious influence on the structure of the vaginal microbiome, whereas the relationships of some pivotal vaginal microbiota at the genus level changed in the probiotic group.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population pregnant women
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Microbiota
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Third
  • Probiotics
  • Vagina

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Vertical: probiotics-gut

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09