Bacteria in the Reproductive Tract: They Are Not All Bad!

Bacteria in the reproductive tract were previously thought to be “bad” and it was believed that they decreased the chances of successful pregnancies. However, healthy bacteria have been found in the reproductive tracts of humans and cattle! These “good” bacteria help maintain a healthy reproductive tract by reducing the ability of “bad” bacteria to grow, helping immune cells to function properly, and maintaining an appropriate pH in the environment. Researchers have found that differences in the bacterial communities of the uterus can influence whether cattle get pregnant and give birth to healthy calves. Future studies may evaluate how we can modify these bacterial communities to create the best environment in the reproductive tract for better reproductive success.