scholarly journals Microbiome & Endometriosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (05) ◽  
pp. 12-27
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Cervix Uterus ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Pelvic Cavity ◽  
Fallopian Tubes ◽  
Malignant Tumours ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Biochemically Active Compounds ◽  
Impaired Quality

Endometriosis is a chronic disease of the female reproductive system, which is characterised by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus especially in the pelvic cavity that includes ovaries, fallopian tubes and it may occur extra genitally in some rare cases. 176 million women all over the world including 26 million in India suffer from endometriosis and high frequency was observed between the age group of 26-30 years, resulting in increased primary infertility. Various studies surveying the female reproductive tract have confirmed the existence of microbiota starting in the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. These microbes play a crucial role at different stages ofthe reproduction, in forming a physical barrier against pathogen and the stimulation of host defence mechanisms. Direct and indirect mechanisms are observed including the production of biochemically active compounds that directly kill or inhibit pathogens. Women suffering from endometriosis lead an impaired quality of life and continue to deal with endometriosis-associated symptoms even after diagnosis and treatment of the disease. In endometriosis condition, adhesions are observed in the fallopian tubes and ovaries that block tubal motility and damage the oocyte-pickup. Progesterone resistance is familiar in endometriosis which changes the implantation window period causing the loss of implantation markers and finally leading to infertility. Malignant tumours of ovaries have also been identified and known to arise from endometriosis. Microbiome can be used as a novel diagnostic tool for endometriosis as there is a variation observed in the composition and distribution along the female reproductive tract of healthy women and endometriosis patients. A non-invasive diagnosis is achieved through this, aiming at early diagnosis and alternative treatment for endometriosis.

scholarly journals Assessment of Myocardial Viability: A Review of Current Non Invasive Imaging Techniques

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Talib
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Coronary Artery Disease ◽  
Ventricular Dysfunction ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Common Cause ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Artery Disease ◽  
Impaired Quality

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most prevalent and<br />single most common cause of morbidity and mortality1 with<br />the resulting left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) an important<br />complication2. Worldwide, CAD accounts for 5.7 million new<br />cases per year, of these 1.3 million in Europe alone3. In addition,<br />it imposes a substantial share of health service resources and<br />expenses, an impaired quality of life, disability and high social<br />cost3,4. Furthermore, LVD itself has been shown to be a powerful<br />determinant of survival2, 5.

scholarly journals The Vehicle Determines the Destination: The Significance of Seminal Plasma Factors for Male Fertility

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (22) ◽  
pp. 8499
Author(s):  
Fengli Wang ◽  
Weina Yang ◽  
Sijin Ouyang ◽  
Shuiqiao Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Male Fertility ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Biological Fluid ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Molecular Structures ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Plasma Factors

Of all human infertility cases, up to 50% show contributing factors leading to defects in the male reproductive physiology. Seminal plasma (SP) is the biological fluid derived from the male accessory sex gland which carries spermatozoa passing throughout the male and female reproductive tract during ejaculation. It contains a complicated set of heterogeneous molecular structures, including proteins, cell-free nucleic acid (DNA, microRNA and LncRNA), and small-molecule metabolites as well as inorganic chemicals (ions). For a long time, the substantial significance of seminal plasma factors’ functions has been underestimated, which is restricted to spermatozoa transport and protection. Notably, significant advancements have been made in dissecting seminal plasma components, revealing new insights into multiple aspects of sperm function, as well as fertilization and pregnancy outcomes in recent years. In this review, we summarize the state-of-art discoveries regarding SP compositions and their implications in male fertility, particularly describing the novel understanding of seminal plasma components and related modifications using “omics” approaches and mainly focusing on proteome and RNA-seq data in the latest decade. Meanwhile, we highlighted the proposed mechanism of the regulation of SP molecules on immunomodulation in the female reproductive tract. Moreover, we also discussed the proteins investigated as non-invasive diagnosis biomarkers for male infertility in the clinic.

Malignancies of the female genital tract in childhood and adolescence

2002 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Brockbank ◽  
T Ind
Keyword(s):  
Teenage Pregnancy ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Malignant Tumours ◽  
Ovarian Tumours ◽  
Adults And Children ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Female Genital

Malignant tumours of the female reproductive tract in childhood and adolescence are rare. The comparative frequencies of tumours in adults and children may be related to the relative accumulation of exposure to environmental factors. An example might be the relationship between exposure to human papillomavirus and the development of vulval, vaginal and cervical cancers. Some cancers in childhood are associated with factors specific to the time of life. Examples include in-utero stilboestrol exposure related to clear cell carcinoma and teenage pregnancy associated with gestational trophoblastic tumours. In childhood and adolescence, 67% of all ovarian tumours are germ cell in origin. This differs significantly to the distribution of ovarian tumours in adults.

scholarly journals Patient-derived endometrial organoids from MRKH patients: Insight in disease causing pathways

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Y. Brucker ◽  
Thomas Hentrich ◽  
Julia M. Schulze-Hentrich ◽  
Martin Pietzsch ◽  
Noel Wajngarten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Mrkh Syndrome ◽  
Powerful Research Tool ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Organoid Cultures ◽  
Holding Back

The uterus is responsible for the nourishment and mechanical protection of the developing embryo and fetus and is an essential part in mammalian reproduction. The Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuester-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is characterized by agenesis of the uterus and upper part of the vagina in females with normal ovarian function. Although heavily studied, the cause of the disease is still enigmatic. Current research in the field of MRKH mainly focusses on DNA-sequencing efforts and, so far, failed to decipher the nature and heterogeneity of the disease, thereby holding back scientific and clinical progress. Here, we developed long-term expandable organoid cultures from endometrium found in uterine rudiment horns of MRKH patients. Phenotypically, they share great similarity with healthy control organoids and are surprisingly fully hormone responsive. Transcriptome analyses, however, identified an array of dysregulated genes that point at potentially disease-causing pathways altered during the development of the female reproductive tract. We consider the endometrial organoid cultures to be a powerful research tool that promise to enable an array of studies into the pathogenic origins of MRKH syndrome and possible treatment opportunities to improve patient quality of life.

Role of new and current methods in semen technology for genetic resource conservation

2004 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 191-205
Author(s):  
W.V. Holt ◽  
P.F. Watson
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Genetic Resource ◽  
Resource Conservation ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
New Information ◽  
Frozen Semen ◽  
Genetic Resource Conservation

AbstractThe establishment of repositories of frozen semen, for the conservation of agricultural genetic resources, is not a simple matter of collecting and freezing semen in the hope that one day it will be suitable for use in an artificial insemination procedure. Important genetic issues need to be considered; for example, how many samples should be stored and from how many individuals? Aside from these, many biological and logistic issues must be considered. Cryopreservation technology does not work equally well in all species, often because of anatomical differences in the female reproductive tract leading to significant variability in the number of spermatozoa needed in order to achieve an acceptable conception rate. Moreover, spermatozoa from different species are not equally susceptible to cryoinjury. However, it is also emerging that semen samples from individuals within a species are also of different quality; several studies have revealed that these differences reflect the quality of DNA within the spermatozoon itself and also the efficacy of biochemical functions, including metabolic and signalling systems, within individual cells. As new possibilities to select spermatozoa for insemination arise, especially the use of flowsorting for gender selection, these issues may become more significant. In this article we interpret the way in which some of this new information may impact upon the practical implementation of genetic resource conservation.

scholarly journals Organoid systems to study the human female reproductive tract and pregnancy

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lama Alzamil ◽  
Konstantina Nikolakopoulou ◽  
Margherita Y. Turco
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Outcome ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Fallopian Tubes ◽  
Human Female ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Opening Up

AbstractBoth the proper functioning of the female reproductive tract (FRT) and normal placental development are essential for women’s health, wellbeing, and pregnancy outcome. The study of the FRT in humans has been challenging due to limitations in the in vitro and in vivo tools available. Recent developments in 3D organoid technology that model the different regions of the FRT include organoids of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, endometrium and cervix, as well as placental trophoblast. These models are opening up new avenues to investigate the normal biology and pathology of the FRT. In this review, we discuss the advances, potential, and limitations of organoid cultures of the human FRT.

scholarly journals Mechanism of semen liquefaction and its potential for a novel non-hormonal contraception†

2020 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 411-426
Author(s):  
Prashanth Anamthathmakula ◽  
Wipawee Winuthayanon
Keyword(s):  
Serine Proteases ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Hormonal Contraception ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Fallopian Tubes ◽  
Contraceptive Methods ◽  
The Past ◽  
Liquefaction Process ◽  
Protein Components ◽  
Prime Target

Abstract Semen liquefaction is a proteolytic process where a gel-like ejaculated semen becomes watery due to the enzymatic activity of prostate-derived serine proteases in the female reproductive tract. The liquefaction process is crucial for the sperm to gain their motility and successful transport to the fertilization site in Fallopian tubes (or oviducts in animals). Hyperviscous semen or failure in liquefaction is one of the causes of male infertility. Therefore, the biochemical inhibition of serine proteases in the female reproductive tract after ejaculation is a prime target for novel contraceptive development. Herein, we will discuss protein components in the ejaculates responsible for semen liquefaction and any developments of contraceptive methods in the past that involve the liquefaction process.

PARTICIPATION OF SEMINAL PLASMA DURING THE PASSAGE OF SPERMATOZOA IN THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE TRACT OF THE PIG AND HORSE

1956 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. MANN ◽  
C. POLGE ◽  
L. E. A. ROWSON
Keyword(s):  
Citric Acid ◽  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Fallopian Tubes ◽  
Chemical Methods ◽  
Quantitative Manner

SUMMARY Chemical methods for the analysis of three characteristic constituents of seminal plasma, namely, fructose, citric acid and ergothioneine, were applied in an attempt to evaluate in a quantitative manner the participation of seminal plasma in the passage of sperm along the female reproductive tract of two species, the pig and the horse. At specified intervals after mating, the reproductive tract of the gilt and the mare, respectively, was exposed, the uterine horns and Fallopian tubes clamped into several segments and the contents of the isolated portions withdrawn for analysis. In the gilt, about 40 min after mating, the uterine horns were found to be filled with semen containing spermatozoa, as well as fructose, ergothioneine and citric acid, but 6 hr after mating the bulk of sperm and seminal plasma had disappeared. In the mare, 50 min after mating, spermatozoa, ergothioneine and citric acid were recovered from both uterine horns, in proportions resembling those found in fresh stallion semen.

scholarly journals Foreign Bodies in the Female Reproductive Tract

2019 ◽  
pp. 12-22
Author(s):  
Suzanne M Czerniak ◽  
Jason Hao ◽  
Gary Israel
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Bodies ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Comprehensive Evaluation ◽  
Cervix Uterus ◽  
External Genitalia ◽  
Medical Professional ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Contraceptive Devices ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Correct Location

Purpose:Most imaged foreign bodies of the female reproductive tract are intentionally placed, either by a medical professional or the patient herself. In many cases, these are reported as incidental findings, but occasionally studies are ordered specifically to locate wayward devices or assess for complications related to them. This requires radiologists to be able to correctly identify a wide range of foreign bodies, recognize their expected location, and assess for any associated complications. The purpose of this article is to familiarize the reader with a variety of foreign bodies and their usual positions in the female reproductive tract as well as their associated complications, if any. Methods: A search was performed of our institutional database, Montage, to find examples of frequently encountered foreign bodies of the external genitalia, vagina, cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes in their expected positions. Further searches were made to illustrate common complications related to each. Results: Imaging of foreign bodies including external genital piercings, tampons, menstrual cups, pessaries, contraceptive rings, brachytherapy applicators, intra uterine contraceptive devices, and internal and external tubal closure devices were compiled across multiple modalities including x-ray, CT, MRI, and ultrasound. Complications including migration, perforation, and infection were reviewed. Conclusion: Foreign bodies of the female reproductive tract are ubiquitous and should be readily recognized by radiologists. Comprehensive evaluation includes assessment for correct location and device-related complications.

scholarly journals Differential Expression of Toll-Like Receptors 2 and 4 in Tissues of the Human Female Reproductive Tract

2004 ◽  
Vol 72 (10) ◽  
pp. 5799-5806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia A. Pioli ◽  
Eyal Amiel ◽  
Todd M. Schaefer ◽  
John E. Connolly ◽  
Charles R. Wira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Expression ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Central Component ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Fallopian Tubes ◽  
Human Female ◽  
Innate Defense ◽  
Relative Paucity

ABSTRACT Toll-like receptor (TLR) signal transduction is a central component of the innate immune response to pathogenic challenge. Although recent studies have begun to elucidate differences in acquired immunity in tissues of the human female reproductive tract, there is a relative paucity of work regarding innate defense mechanisms. We investigated TLR mRNA and protein expression in tissues of the human female reproductive tract. Constitutive mRNA expression of TLRs 1 to 6 was observed in fallopian tubes, uterine endometrium, cervix, and ectocervix. Furthermore, transcripts of the signaling adapter MyD88 and the accessory molecule CD14 were also detected in all tissues assayed. Quantitative analysis of TLR2 mRNA levels revealed highest expression of this molecule in fallopian tube and cervical tissues, followed by endometrium and ectocervix. In contrast to TLR2, TLR4 expression declined progressively along the tract, with highest expression in the upper tissues (fallopian tubes and endometrium), followed by cervix and ectocervix. In addition to mRNA, protein expression of TLR2 and TLR4 was also documented in these tissues. These data suggest that TLRs are differentially expressed in distinct compartments of the female reproductive tract and may provide insight regarding the regulation of inflammation and immunity within the tract.

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