Abstract
Infertility is a global reproductive health issue impacting individuals and society and recognized as a cause for concern in Saudi society. It is medically defined as a failure to achieve conception after one year or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Therefore, a lot of couples choose to have in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure. Follicular fluid (FF) is one of the potential sources of microorganisms that may affect in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. Aim: This study investigated the bacterial isolates within 50 FF samples of women undergoing IVF procedure. Methodology: All samples were identified according to morphological features, biochemical tests, and molecular techniques. Results: Nine bacterial species belong to five genera were detected within 38% of FF samples and 62% did not show any bacterial growth. The bacterial species were identified as Bacillus subtilis, Corynebacterium freneyi, C. amycolatum, C. aurimucosum, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus anginosus, S. agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, and S. epidermidis. The FF microorganisms were not associated with IVF outcomes. Conclusion: Follicular fluid is not sterile but have no significant adverse effects of FF microbes on the IVF outcomes. Furthermore, microbiological analysis of FF samples for women undergoing IVF procedure may give an opportunity to initiate antimicrobial treatment prior to the next conception.