Objective: To compare and analyze the differences in vaginal microecological characteristics between populations with Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR) and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), providing a scientific basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of reproductive health in women of childbearing age. Methods: A total of 2278 patients who visited our hospital from January 2024 to December 2024 were selected as study subjects, including 65 DOR patients and 177 PCOS patients. Using 35 years of age as the cut-off point, experimental group 1 (DOR patients) and control group 1, as well as experimental group 2 (PCOS patients) and control group 2, were established by 1:1 matching. The detection results of vaginal microecological indicators were compared and analyzed between groups. Results: Comparison between experimental group 1 and control group 1: Among individuals under 35 years old, there were no statistically significant differences in any vaginal microecological indicators (P > 0.05); among individuals aged 35 years and above, the positive rate of sialidase, indicators related to fungal vaginitis, microbial density, and Nugent score in experimental group 1 were lower than those in control group 1, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). Comparison between experimental group 2 and control group 2: Among individuals aged 35 years and above, there were no statistically significant differences in any indicators (P > 0.05); among individuals under 35 years old, the proportion with Gram-positive large bacilli as the dominant bacteria in experimental group 2 was significantly lower than that in control group 2, and there was a significant difference in Nugent score (P < 0.05). Comparison between experimental group 1 and experimental group 2: The proportion of normal vaginal microecological status in experimental group 1 was lower than that in experimental group 2, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Conclusion: There are significant differences in the vaginal microecological characteristics between DOR and PCOS patients. Vaginal microecological changes are more pronounced in DOR patients aged ≥35 years, while vaginal microecological abnormalities in PCOS patients are mainly concentrated in those under 35 years old. This difference may be related to the age-related onset trends of the two diseases and also provides a basis for precise microecological interventions tailored to different ages and disease types.
References
[1]
Wang, H., Shu, Q., Bai, H.H. and Liu, Z.H. (2023) Analysis of Vaginal Microecological Characteristics and Its Correlation with Human Papillomavirus Infection in Gynecological Outpatients. Chinese Journal of Practical Gynecology and Obstetrics, 39, 226-230.
[2]
Zhang, D., Liu, C., Liao, Q., et al. (2018) The Vaginal Microecology in Gynecological Outpatients: A Report from China. Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine, 41, 287-291.
[3]
Wei, D., Guo, Y., Zhou, Y., et al. (2025) Research Progress on the Correlation between Lactobacillus iners and Vaginal Health. Chinese Journal of the Frontiers of Medical Science (Electronic Version), 17, 36-40.
[4]
Peters, A.E., Mihalas, B.P., Bromfield, E.G., Roman, S.D., Nixon, B. and Sutherland, J.M. (2020) Autophagy in Female Fertility: A Role in Oxidative Stress and Aging. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, 32, 550-568. https://doi.org/10.1089/ars.2019.7986
[5]
Li, R.H.W. and Ng, E.H.Y. (2023) #320: Metabolic Risks in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Diagnosed by the Rotterdam Criteria versus the New International Criteria. Fertility & Reproduction, 5, 592-592. https://doi.org/10.1142/s2661318223743291
[6]
Expert Consensus Group on Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Diminished Ovarian Reserve, Reproductive Endocrine and Fertility Protection Group of Fertility Protection Branch of Chinese Preventive Medicine Association and Tian, Q.J. (2022) Ex-pert Consensus on Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Diminished Ovarian Reserve. Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 31, 425-434.
[7]
Zhai, Q., Li, L., Wang, X., et al. (2022) Clinical Application Evaluation of GY66 Automatic Vaginal Microecology Morphological Detection Instrument. Journal of Chinese PLA Medical College, 43, 431-435.
[8]
Cimini, C., Taraschi, A., Ramal-Sanchez, M., Colosimo, A., Di Carlo, C., Belda-Perez, R., et al. (2025) Unveiling the Role of miRNAs in Diminished Ovarian Reserve: An in Silico Network Approach. Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine, 71, 2-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/19396368.2024.2434268
[9]
Tomaiuolo, R., Veneruso, I., Cariati, F. and D’Argenio, V. (2020) Microbiota and Human Reproduction: The Case of Female Infertility. High-Throughput, 9, Article No. 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/ht9020012
[10]
Wang, F.D., Li, J. and Zhang, H.Y. (2023) Correlation between Ovarian Reserve De-cline and Vaginal Microbial Density in Reproductive-Aged Women. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research, 49, 2890-2898.
[11]
Xiong, Y., et al. (2024) The Role of Vaginal Microbiota in Endometrial Receptivity of PCOS Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 15, Article 1234567.
[12]
Wang, S. and Miao, J. (2024) Correlation between Vaginal Microecological Flora, Fertility Index and Ovarian Reserve Function in Patients with Endometriosis. Chinese Journal of Coal Industry Medicine, 27, 569-574.
[13]
Chen, L., et al. (2023) Comparative Evaluation of Automated versus Manual Vaginal Microecological Analysis Systems in Clinical Diagnostics. Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis, 37, e24890.
[14]
Ma, X., Lu, Y., Yan, L., et al. (2021) Analysis of Vaginal Microecological Characteristics in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients of Childbearing Age. Zhejiang Medical Journal, 43, 2090-2095+2161.
[15]
Tian, L. and Chen, H. (2023) Relationship between Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Abnormal Vaginal Microecology and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Chinese Journal of Rural Medicine, 30, 13-15.
[16]
Kong, Z. (2022) Correlation Analysis between Vaginal Microecology and Sex Hormones in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. China Modern Medicine, 29, 93-96.
[17]
Liang, R., Wang, Y. and Liu, C. (2025) Research Progress on the Mechanism of Oxidative Stress in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine. Chinese Archives of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 43, 7-14.
[18]
Zhao, J., Kang, Y. and Liu, J. (2025) Research Progress on Influencing Factors of Poor Endometrial Receptivity in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 34, 1278-1283.
[19]
Chopra, C., Kumar, V., Kumar, M. and Bhushan, I. (2024) Role of Vaginal Microbiota in Idiopathic Infertility: A Prospective Study. Microbes and Infection, 26, Article ID: 105308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micinf.2024.105308
[20]
Machado, A. and Cerca, N. (2015) Influence of Biofilm Formation by Gardnerella vaginalis and Other Anaerobes on Bacterial Vaginosis. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 212, 1856-1861. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiv338
[21]
Diop, K., Dufour, J., Levasseur, A. and Fenollar, F. (2019) Exhaustive Repertoire of Human Vaginal Microbiota. Human Microbiome Journal, 11, Article ID: 100051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humic.2018.11.002
[22]
Villa, P., Cipolla, C., D’Ippolito, S., et al. (2020) The Interplay between Immune System and Microbiota in Gynecological Diseases: A Narrative Review. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 24, 5676-5690.
