Cellular and molecular basis for endometriosis-associated infertility

Endometriosis is a gynecological disease characterized by the presence of endometrial glandular epithelial and stromal cells growing in the extra-uterine environment. The disease afflicts 10%–15% of menstruating women causing debilitating pain and infertility. Endometriosis appears to affect every p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cell and tissue research 2012-09, Vol.349 (3), p.849-862
Main Authors: Stilley, Julie A. W, Birt, Julie A, Sharpe-Timms, Kathy L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adverse effects
animal ovaries
Animals
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biomedicine
Cellular biology
Embryo Implantation
embryogenesis
Embryonic development
Endometriosis
Endometriosis - complications
Endometriosis - pathology
endometrium
Female
Fertility
health care costs
Human Genetics
Humans
Infertility
Infertility, Female - etiology
Infertility, Female - pathology
Menopause
Molecular biology
Molecular Medicine
oocytes
Oocytes - pathology
Ovarian cancer
Ovary - pathology
pain
Pregnancy
Proteomics
Review
stromal cells
women
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Summary:Endometriosis is a gynecological disease characterized by the presence of endometrial glandular epithelial and stromal cells growing in the extra-uterine environment. The disease afflicts 10%–15% of menstruating women causing debilitating pain and infertility. Endometriosis appears to affect every part of a woman’s reproductive system including ovarian function, oocyte quality, embryo development and implantation, uterine function and the endocrine system choreographing the reproductive process and results in infertility or spontaneous pregnancy loss. Current treatments are laden with menopausal-like side effects and many cause cessation or chemical alteration of the reproductive cycle, neither of which is conducive to achieving a pregnancy. However, despite the prevalence, physical and psychological tolls and health care costs, a cure for endometriosis has not yet been found. We hypothesize that endometriosis causes infertility via multifaceted mechanisms that are intricately interwoven thereby contributing to our lack of understanding of this disease process. Identifying and understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for endometriosis-associated infertility might help unravel the confounding multiplicities of infertility and provide insights into novel therapeutic approaches and potentially curative treatments for endometriosis.
ISSN:0302-766X
1432-0878
DOI:10.1007/s00441-011-1309-0