scholarly journals Microbiota and Human Reproduction: The Case of Female Infertility

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rossella Tomaiuolo ◽  
Iolanda Veneruso ◽  
Federica Cariati ◽  
Valeria D’Argenio
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Embryo Implantation ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Human Reproduction ◽  
Microbial Dysbiosis ◽  
Technical Issues ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Generation Sequencing

During the last decade, the availability of next-generation sequencing-based approaches has revealed the presence of microbial communities in almost all the human body, including the reproductive tract. As for other body sites, this resident microbiota has been involved in the maintenance of a healthy status. As a consequence, alterations due to internal or external factors may lead to microbial dysbiosis and to the development of pathologies. Female reproductive microbiota has also been suggested to affect infertility, and it may play a key role in the success of assisted reproductive technologies, such as embryo implantation and pregnancy care. While the vaginal microbiota is well described, the uterine microbiota is underexplored. This could be due to technical issues, as the uterus is a low biomass environment. Here, we review the state of the art regarding the role of the female reproductive system microbiota in women’s health and human reproduction, highlighting its contribution to infertility.

scholarly journals To understand the reproductive tract microbiome associated with infertility through metagenomics analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manisha Vajpeyee ◽  
Lokendra Bahadur Yadav ◽  
Shivam Tiwari ◽  
Parikshit Tank
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Live Birth Rate ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Human Reproduction ◽  
Main Body ◽  
Fertility Treatments ◽  
Vaginal Tract ◽  
Human Illness

Abstract Background Knowledge of the microbiome is in its infancy in health and human illness, especially concerning human reproduction. We will be better able to treat dysbiosis of the reproductive tract clinically if it is better explained and understood. It has been shown that altered vaginal microbiota affects parturition, and its function is uncertain in assisted reproductive technologies. However, the effects of recognized microbes such as Mycoplasma tuberculosis, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are well established, resulting in subclinical changes which are considered to be risk factors for infertility and poor reproductive outcomes. Main body Recent studies indicate that the vaginal tract comprises several different organisms of the microbiome. Some microbiota can play an important role not only in the reproductive tract but also in overall health. The microbiome of the female reproductive tract has been identified mainly based on studies that examine vaginal samples across many reproductive technologies, using a metagenomics approach. Conclusion Alteration of reproductive tract microbiota or presence of certain microbiota irrespective of the level of pathogenicity may interfere with fertilization, implantation, and subsequent embryo development. This may lead to failed fertility treatments and reduced live birth rate (LBR).

scholarly journals Pannexins and Connexins: Their Relevance for Oocyte Developmental Competence

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5918
Author(s):  
Paweł Kordowitzki ◽  
Gabriela Sokołowska ◽  
Marta Wasielak-Politowska ◽  
Agnieszka Skowronska ◽  
Mariusz T. Skowronski
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Atp Release ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Developmental Competence ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Protein Group ◽  
Multicellular Organisms

The oocyte is the major determinant of embryo developmental competence in all mammalian species. Although fundamental advances have been generated in the field of reproductive medicine and assisted reproductive technologies in the past three decades, researchers and clinicians are still trying to elucidate molecular factors and pathways, which could be pivotal for the oocyte’s developmental competence. The cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix communications are crucial not only for oocytes but also for multicellular organisms in general. This latter mentioned communication is among others possibly due to the Connexin and Pannexin families of large-pore forming channels. Pannexins belong to a protein group of ATP-release channels, therefore of high importance for the oocyte due to its requirements of high energy supply. An increasing body of studies on Pannexins provided evidence that these channels not only play a role during physiological processes of an oocyte but also during pathological circumstances which could lead to the development of diseases or infertility. Connexins are proteins that form membrane channels and gap-junctions, and more precisely, these proteins enable the exchange of some ions and molecules, and therefore they do play a fundamental role in the communication between the oocyte and accompanying cells. Herein, the role of Pannexins and Connexins for the processes of oogenesis, folliculogenesis, oocyte maturation and fertilization will be discussed and, at the end of this review, Pannexin and Connexin related pathologies and their impact on the developmental competence of oocytes will be provided.

The role of maternal age in the assisted reproductive technologies

1999 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A Damario ◽  
Owen K Davis ◽  
Zev Rosenwaks
Keyword(s):  
Older Women ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Ovarian Response ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Abortion Rate ◽  
Western World ◽  
Delayed Childbearing ◽  
Art Outcome

Age is perhaps the most important single variable influencing outcome in the assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The effect of advancing age on clinical ART outcome is manifested not only in the pattern of ovarian response to stimulation regimens, but also in reduced implantation efficiency and an increased spontaneous abortion rate. The clinical importance of these factors is compounded by the fact that increasing numbers of older women are presenting for ART treatment. Delayed childbearing is becoming increasingly common in the western world. The availability of methods of birth control, educational and career priorities for women, and the increased rates of divorce and remarriage are some of the factors contributing to this phenomenon.

The role of ALK5 in the profile of early reproductive losses in the use of assisted reproductive technologies

2021 ◽  
pp. 70-76
Author(s):  
Abuduwaili Ruziguli ◽  
Nikolai Nikolaevich Rukhliada ◽  
Anna Nikolaevna Taits ◽  
Tatyana Ivanovna Prohorovich ◽  
Tatyana Aleksandrovna Libova
Keyword(s):  
Natural Killer Cells ◽  
Natural Killer ◽  
Embryo Transfer ◽  
Spontaneous Abortion ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Immunohistochemical Study ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Decidual Tissue ◽  
Reproductive Losses

This article is devoted to the assessment of the role of ALK5 in the profile of early reproductive losses in the use of assisted reproductive technologies, in particular, by using immunohistochemical study in the group of patients with early spontaneous abortion after the procedure of embryo transfer, a lower level of ALK5 expression in the decidual tissue was revealed (in comparison with control), which may be related to the occurrence of early reproductive losses caused by the imbalance in Th1 / Th2 and its effect on the increase in the concentration of natural killer cells.

scholarly journals Inositol and vitamin D may naturally protect human reproduction and women undergoing assisted reproduction from COVID-19 risk

2021 ◽  
pp. 113-117
Author(s):  
M.S. Bezerra Espinola ◽  
M. Bertelli ◽  
M. Bizzarri
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Phosphatidyl Inositol ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Human Reproduction ◽  
Risk Category ◽  
Virus Species

In late 2019, the new Coronavirus has been identified in the city of Wuhan (China) then COVID-19 spreads like wildfire in the rest of the world. Pregnant women represent a risk category for increased abortion rates and vertical transmission with adverse events on the newborns has been recently confirmed. The scientific world is struggling for finding an effective cure for counteracting symptomatology. Today, there are many therapeutic proposes but none of them can effectively counteract the infection. Moreover, many of these compounds show important side effects not justifying their use. Scientific literature reports an immune system over-reaction through interleukins- 6 activation. In this regard, the possibility to control the immune system represents a possible strategy for counteracting the onset of COVID-19 symptomatology. Vitamin D deficiency shows increased susceptibility to acute viral respiratory infections. Moreover, Vitamin D seems involved in host protection from different virus species by modulating activation and release of cytokines. Myo-inositol down-regulates the expression of IL-6 by phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase pathway. Furthermore, myo-inositol is the precursor of phospholipids in the surfactant and it is applied for inducing surfactant synthesis in infants for treating respiratory distress syndrome. This review aims to summarize the evidence about COVID-19 infection in pregnant women and to encourage the scientific community to investigate the use of Vitamin D and Myo-inositol which could represent a possible preventive treatment for pregnant women or women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies.

The role of diagnostic hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy in assisted reproductive technologies

1998 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 378-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni B La Sala ◽  
Rossella Montanari ◽  
Luisella Dessanti ◽  
Corrado Cigarini ◽  
Fabrizio Sartori
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Endometrial Biopsy ◽  
Diagnostic Hysteroscopy

Secondary infertility associated with a uterine niche after cesarean section

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 95-101
Author(s):  
M.A. Kurtser ◽  
◽  
N.M. Egikyan ◽  
N.A. Savelyeva ◽  
M.A. Vatagina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Caesarean Section ◽  
Cesarean Section ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Embryo Implantation ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Psychological Factor ◽  
Secondary Infertility ◽  
Embryo Survival ◽  
Abdominal Delivery

The frequency of abdominal delivery remains high and does not tend to decrease. This may lead to an increase in the number of complications associated with cesarean section, such as uterine niche. Considering the fact that literature data on uterine form of secondary infertility in patients with niches is lacking, and taking into account our own experience and observations made during laparoscopic and hysteroscopic metroplasty, we believe that it is necessary to discuss hypothetical mechanisms underlying the effects of uterine niches on: (1) natural embryo implantation or during an IVF program; (2) embryo survival (embryotoxicity); (3) quality and survival of spermatozoa (spermatoxicity). It is also important to analyze the psychological factor that decreases fertility in these patients. Key words: infertility; assisted reproductive technologies; isthmocele; caesarean section; niche; fertility

The role of the laboratory in the handling of epididymal sperm for assisted reproductive technologies

1992 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 1103-1106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teri Ord ◽  
Ellen Marello ◽  
Pasquale Patrizio ◽  
Jose P. Balmaceda ◽  
Sherman J. Silber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Epididymal Sperm
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