الفهرس 
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Abstract
The vaginal microbiome plays a critical role during pregnancy. In the current study, compositional changes of the vaginal microbiota during uncomplicated pregnancy trimesters were detected compared to non-pregnant control group in Ismailia, Egypt using 16S rRNA and metagenomic shotgun sequencing. A total of 48 vaginal samples were collected, 12 samples from each trimester (n=36) and healthy non-pregnant women (n=12). Our results revealed that Firmicutes was the most abundant phyla across all our study groups representing 97.7% in first trimester, 96.2% in second, 86.3% in third compared to 92.4% in non-pregnant. At species level, L. iners was the most dominant, 52.2% of first trimester, 65.3% in second and 33% in third, meanwhile, 66.6% in non-pregnant. Negative correlation was detected between L. iners and almost all other vaginal species during pregnancy. Vaginal microbiome during pregnancy was homogenous and stable. The ecological functions of vaginal microbiota during pregnancy would be the responsibility of the abundant L. iners. Metagenomic shotgun analysis showed dominance of either L. iners or L. crispatus in the vaginal microbiome during third trimester.
Keywords: vaginal microbiota, pregnancy trimesters, 16S rRNA, metagenomic shotgun sequencing, L. iners.