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Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Jan 2024The immune system is influenced by many factors, including female sex hormones. The extent of this influence, however, is not completely understood so far. This... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
The immune system is influenced by many factors, including female sex hormones. The extent of this influence, however, is not completely understood so far. This systematic literature review aims at giving an overview of the existing concepts on how endogenous progesterone influences the female immune system along the menstrual cycle.
METHODS
The inclusion criteria were healthy female subjects in their reproductive age with a regular menstrual cycle. The exclusion criteria were exogenous progesterone, animal models, nonhealthy study populations and pregnancy. This led to 18 papers covered in this review. The search was performed using the databases EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE and Epub, and the last search was conducted on September 18, 2020. Our findings were analyzed in four categories: cellular immune defense, humoral immune defense, objective and subjective clinical parameters.
RESULTS
We demonstrated that progesterone acts in an immunosuppressive way, favoring a Th-2-like cytokine profile. Further, we showed that progesterone inhibits mast cell degranulation and relaxes smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, we found supporting evidence for a so-called window of vulnerability after ovulation, where immune functions are lowered and mediated through progesterone.
CONCLUSION
The clinical relevance of these findings is not completely understood yet. As the sample sizes of included studies were rather small and the content of them was broad, further investigations are needed to define to which extent the described changes actually clinically meaningful, whether they are capable of influencing the female health and how these findings can be used to increase well-being.
Topics: Female; Humans; Immune System; Menstrual Cycle; Ovulation; Progesterone; Reproduction
PubMed: 36933040
DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-06996-9 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024Thin endometrium (TE) is defined as a mid-luteal endometrial thickness ≤7mm. TE can affect endometrial tolerance, leading to lower embryo implantation rates and...
Thin endometrium (TE) is defined as a mid-luteal endometrial thickness ≤7mm. TE can affect endometrial tolerance, leading to lower embryo implantation rates and clinical pregnancy rates, and is also associated with impaired outcomes from assisted reproductive treatment. Herein, we systematically review TE causes, mechanisms, and treatments. TE pathogenesis has multiple causes, with the endometrium becoming thinner with age under hormonal influence. In addition, uterine cavity factors are important, as the inflammatory environment may affect expressions of certain genes thereby inhibiting endometrial stromal cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis. Long-term oral contraceptive use or the use of ovulation-promoting drugs are also definite factors contributing to endometrial thinning. Other patients have primary factors, for which the clinical etiology remains unknown. The main therapeutic strategies available for TE are pharmacological (including hormonal and vasoactive drugs), regenerative medicine, intrauterine infusion of growth factor-granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, autologous platelet-rich plasma, and complementary alternative therapies (including traditional Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture). However, the associated mechanisms of action are currently unclear. Clinical scholars have proposed various approaches to improve treatment outcomes in patients with TE, and are exploring the principles of efficacy, offering potentials for novel treatments. It is hoped that this will improve TE tolerance, increase embryo implantation rates, and help more couples with infertility with effective treatments.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Embryo Implantation; Endometrium; Infertility, Female
PubMed: 38745960
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1269382 -
Journal of Medical Internet Research Feb 2024Emerging digital health technology has moved into the reproductive health market for female individuals. In the past, mobile health apps have been used to monitor the...
BACKGROUND
Emerging digital health technology has moved into the reproductive health market for female individuals. In the past, mobile health apps have been used to monitor the menstrual cycle using manual entry. New technological trends involve the use of wearable devices to track fertility by assessing physiological changes such as temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate.
OBJECTIVE
The primary aims of this study are to review the types of wearables that have been developed and evaluated for menstrual cycle tracking and to examine whether they may detect changes in the menstrual cycle in female individuals. Another aim is to review whether these devices are effective for tracking various stages in the menstrual cycle including ovulation and menstruation. Finally, the secondary aim is to assess whether the studies have validated their findings by reporting accuracy and sensitivity.
METHODS
A review of PubMed or MEDLINE was undertaken to evaluate wearable devices for their effectiveness in predicting fertility and differentiating between the different stages of the menstrual cycle.
RESULTS
Fertility cycle-tracking wearables include devices that can be worn on the wrists, on the fingers, intravaginally, and inside the ear. Wearable devices hold promise for predicting different stages of the menstrual cycle including the fertile window and may be used by female individuals as part of their reproductive health. Most devices had high accuracy for detecting fertility and were able to differentiate between the luteal phase (early and late), fertile window, and menstruation by assessing changes in heart rate, heart rate variability, temperature, and respiratory rate.
CONCLUSIONS
More research is needed to evaluate consumer perspectives on reproductive technology for monitoring fertility, and ethical issues around the privacy of digital data need to be addressed. Additionally, there is also a need for more studies to validate and confirm this research, given its scarcity, especially in relation to changes in respiratory rate as a proxy for reproductive cycle staging.
Topics: Female; Humans; Fertility; Heart Rate; Menstrual Cycle; Menstruation; Reproductive Health; Wearable Electronic Devices
PubMed: 38358798
DOI: 10.2196/45139 -
Frontiers in Nutrition 2024Excessive calorie intake poses a significant threat to female fertility, leading to hormonal imbalances and reproductive challenges. Overconsumption of unhealthy fats...
INTRODUCTION
Excessive calorie intake poses a significant threat to female fertility, leading to hormonal imbalances and reproductive challenges. Overconsumption of unhealthy fats exacerbates ovarian dysfunction, with an overproduction of reactive oxygen species causing oxidative stress, impairing ovarian follicle development and leading to irregular ovulation and premature ovarian failure. Interest in biological matrices with high antioxidant properties to combat diet-related oxidative stress has grown, as they contain various bioactive factors crucial for neutralizing free radicals potentially preventing female reproductive health. This systematic review evaluates the female reproductive impact of biological matrices in mitigating oxidative damages induced by over calory habits and, in particular, high fat diets.
METHODS
A comparative approach among mammalian models was utilized to interpret literature available data. This approach specifically investigates the antioxidant mechanisms of biological matrices on early and late ovarian folliculogenesis, under physiological and hormone-induced female reproductive cycle. Adhering to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, only English-language publications from peer-reviewed international indexes were considered.
RESULTS
The analysis of 121 publications meeting the inclusion criteria facilitated the identification of crucial components of biological matrices. These components, including carbocyclic sugars, phytonutrients, organosulfur compounds, and vitamins, were evaluated for their impact on ovarian follicle resilience, oocyte quality, and reproductive lifespan. The detrimental effects of oxidative stress on female fertility, particularly exacerbated by high saturated fat diets, are well-documented. studies across mammalian preclinical models have underscored the potential of antioxidants derived from biological matrices to mitigate diet-induced conditions. These antioxidants enhance steroidogenesis and ovarian follicle development, thereby improving oocyte quality. Additionally, discussions within these publications emphasized the clinical significance of these biological matrices, translating research findings into practical applications for female health.
CONCLUSION
Further research is essential to fully exploit the potential of these matrices in enhancing female reproduction and mitigating the effects of diets rich in fatty acids. This requires intensified studies and comprehensive collection of data before clinical trials. The promotion of ovarian resilience offers promising avenues for enhancing understanding and advancing female reproductive health world-wide.
PubMed: 38915855
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1415455