Microbiome and Premature Ovarian Insufficiency

This project utilizes a case-control study design to systematically compare the microbiome profiles of women diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and healthy controls. A total of 20 participants with POI and 20 age-matched healthy volunteers will be recruited. Biological samples collected will include blood, midstream urine, stool, and vaginal swab per participant. Blood samples will be obtained by licensed nurses; for menstruating women, samples are drawn during days 2-5 of the most recent cycle, while for those with amenorrhea or menopause, samples are taken at any time for serum hormone testing. Vaginal swab samples are collected by experienced gynecologists, avoiding collection during menstruation. Urine samples are self-collected by volunteers and immediately handed over to research staff for freezing, while stool samples are self-collected and sent to the laboratory staff by low-temperature shipping for prompt processing and storage. Both samples are collected outside of the menstrual period. Comprehensive baseline data will be obtained through questionnaires and electronic medical records by trained interviewers. This includes demographic details, lifestyle factors, reproductive and menstrual history, use of antibiotics and supplements, Kupperman Index (KMI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), and sleep quality assessments. All biosamples will be handled according to strict aseptic procedures, aliquoted and stored at -80°C for subsequent omics analyses. Data collection and quality control procedures will be overseen and maintained by the research team for long-term storage and analysis.

Inclusion criteria

(For POI patients)

• Women aged 20 to 40 years at screening visit.
• Clinical diagnosis of premature ovarian insufficiency (based on diagnostic criteria: 25 < FSH ≤ 40 IU/L, reduced follicle count and abnormal follicle development by ultrasound).
• Able to provide informed consent.

(For healthy volunteers)

• Age (±2 years) and sex-matched healthy control individuals for each POI patient.
• Able to provide informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

(For POI patients)

• Family history of premature ovarian insufficiency.
• Use of hormone therapy (such as HRT) within the past 6 months.
• Serious illness (e.g., heart failure or malignancy).
• Smoking more than 15 cigarettes per day or history of alcohol or drug addiction.
• Inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases.
• Chronic diseases that may affect the gut microbiota (e.g., diabetes, cirrhosis, or cardiovascular disease).
• Blood or autoimmune diseases, or use of immunosuppressants in the past 3 months.
• Use of antibiotics in the past 3 months before sample collection.
• Chronic constipation.

(For healthy volunteers)

• Have a history of infertility or recurrent miscarriage.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Use of hormone therapy (e.g., loratadine, oral contraceptives, etc.) within the past 6 months.
• Inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases.
• Smoking more than 15 cigarettes per day or history of alcohol or drug addiction.
• Chronic diseases that may affect the gut microbiota (e.g., diabetes, cirrhosis, or cardiovascular disease).
• Blood or autoimmune diseases, or use of immunosuppressants in the past 3 months.
• Use of antibiotics in the past 3 months before sample collection.
• Chronic constipation.
• Participating in other clinical trials.