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Advances in Experimental Medicine and... 2016Correct sexual development is arguably the most important trait in an organism's life history since it is directly related to its genetic fitness. The developing gonad... (Review)
Review
Correct sexual development is arguably the most important trait in an organism's life history since it is directly related to its genetic fitness. The developing gonad houses the germ cells, the only legacy we pass on to subsequent generations. Given the pivotal importance of correct reproductive function, it is confounding that disorders of sex development (DSDs) are among the most common congenital abnormalities in humans (Lee et al. J Pediatr Urol 8(6):611-615, 2012). Urogenital development is a highly complex process involving coordinated interactions between molecular and hormonal pathways in a tightly regulated order. The controls that regulate some of the key events in this process are beginning to be unraveled. This chapter provides an overview of our understanding of urogenital development from the gonads to the urogenital ducts and external genitalia.
Topics: Animals; Female; Genitalia, Female; Genitalia, Male; Humans; Male
PubMed: 26659484
DOI: 10.1007/978-94-017-7417-8_1 -
International Journal of Biological... 2022Gamete abnormalities and reproductive system tumors have become a dominant cause of infertility, troubling people globally. In recent years, increasing evidence emerged... (Review)
Review
Gamete abnormalities and reproductive system tumors have become a dominant cause of infertility, troubling people globally. In recent years, increasing evidence emerged and found that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) played a leading role in reproduction. The biological effects of m6A modification are dynamically and reversibly regulated by methyltransferases (writers), WTAP, METTL3, METTL14 and KIAA1429, demethylases (erasers), FTO and ALKBH5, and m6A binding proteins (readers), including YTH domain. In this review, we highlight the change of m6A modification in abnormal oogenesis, female reproductive system diseases including reproductive system tumors, adenomyosis, endometriosis, premature ovarian failure and polycystic ovary syndrome. Moreover, we review some of the mechanisms and the specific modified genes that have been identified. Especially, with the underlying mechanisms being uncovered, m6A and its protein machineries are expected to be the markers and targets for the diagnosis and treatment of female reproductive dysfunction.
Topics: Adenosine; Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase FTO; Female; Genitalia; Humans; Infertility, Female; Methyltransferases; Neoplasms
PubMed: 35813486
DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.69771 -
Journal of Nanobiotechnology Dec 2023Comprehensively understanding the female reproductive system is crucial for safeguarding fertility and preventing diseases concerning women's health. With the capacity... (Review)
Review
Comprehensively understanding the female reproductive system is crucial for safeguarding fertility and preventing diseases concerning women's health. With the capacity to simulate the intricate physio- and patho-conditions, and provide diagnostic platforms, microfluidic chips have fundamentally transformed the knowledge and management of female reproductive health, which will ultimately promote the development of more effective assisted reproductive technologies, treatments, and drug screening approaches. This review elucidates diverse microfluidic systems in mimicking the ovary, fallopian tube, uterus, placenta and cervix, and we delve into the culture of follicles and oocytes, gametes' manipulation, cryopreservation, and permeability especially. We investigate the role of microfluidics in endometriosis and hysteromyoma, and explore their applications in ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and cervical cancer. At last, the current status of assisted reproductive technology and integrated microfluidic devices are introduced briefly. Through delineating the multifarious advantages and challenges of the microfluidic technology, we chart a definitive course for future research in the woman health field. As the microfluidic technology continues to evolve and advance, it holds great promise for revolutionizing the diagnosis and treatment of female reproductive health issues, thus propelling us into a future where we can ultimately optimize the overall wellbeing and health of women everywhere.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Microfluidics; Genitalia, Female; Reproduction; Uterus; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Lab-On-A-Chip Devices
PubMed: 38111049
DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-02258-7 -
Seminars in Reproductive Medicine Sep 2023The microbiome of the female upper reproductive system has garnered increasing recognition and has become an area of interest in the study of women's health. This... (Review)
Review
The microbiome of the female upper reproductive system has garnered increasing recognition and has become an area of interest in the study of women's health. This intricate ecosystem encompasses a diverse consortium of microorganisms (i.e., microbiota) and their genomes (i.e., microbiome) residing in the female upper reproductive system, including the uterus, the fallopian tubes, and ovaries. In recent years, remarkable advancements have been witnessed in sequencing technologies and microbiome research, indicating the potential importance of the microbial composition within these anatomical sites and its impact in women's reproductive health and overall well-being. Understanding the composition, dynamics, and functions of the microbiome of the female upper reproductive system opens up exciting avenues for improving fertility, treating gynecological conditions, and advancing our comprehension of the intricate interplay between the microbiome and the female reproductive system. The aim of this study is to compile currently available information on the microbial composition of the female upper reproductive system in humans, with a focus beyond the uterus, which has received more attention in recent microbiome studies compared with the fallopian tubes and ovaries. In conclusion, this review underscores the potential role of this microbiome in women's physiology, both in health and disease.
Topics: Female; Humans; Uterus; Genitalia, Female; Microbiota; Ovary; Fallopian Tubes
PubMed: 38320577
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1778056 -
Fitoterapia Nov 2020Male infertility has affected many families around the world. However, due to the mechanism underlying male reproductive system dysfunction are not completely... (Review)
Review
Male infertility has affected many families around the world. However, due to the mechanism underlying male reproductive system dysfunction are not completely elucidated, the use of drugs for male reproductive system dysfunction treatment only insignificant higher pregnancy outcomes, low-quality evidence suggests that clinical pregnancy rates may increase. Therefore, the focus in the future will be on developing more viable treatment options to prevent or treatment of male reproductive system dysfunction and achieve the purpose of improving fertility. Interestingly, natural products, as the potential inhibitors for the treatment of male reproductive system dysfunction, have shown a good therapeutic effect. Among many natural products, flavonoids have been extensively investigated for the treatment of male reproductive system dysfunction, such as testicular structural disruption, spermatogenesis disturbance and sperm quality decline. Flavonoids have been reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune stimulating, anti-apoptotic, anticarcinogenic, anti-allergic and antiviral activities, investigating for the treatment of male reproductive system dysfunction. In this review, we evaluate the therapeutic effects of flavonoids on male reproductive system dysfunction under different cellular scenarios and summarize the therapeutic strategies of flavonoids based on the aforementioned retrospective analysis. In the end, we describe some perspective research areas relevant to the application of flavonoids in the treatment of male reproductive system dysfunction.
Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Flavonoids; Genitalia, Male; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male; Molecular Structure; Spermatogenesis; Spermatozoa; Testis
PubMed: 33069836
DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2020.104756 -
Biology of Reproduction Apr 2021Exposures to adverse conditions in utero can lead to permanent changes in the structure and function of key physiological systems in the developing fetus, increasing the... (Review)
Review
Exposures to adverse conditions in utero can lead to permanent changes in the structure and function of key physiological systems in the developing fetus, increasing the risk of disease and premature aging in later postnatal life. When considering the systems that could be affected by an adverse gestational environment, the reproductive system of developing female offspring may be particularly important, as changes have the potential to alter both reproductive capacity of the first generation, as well as health of the second generation through changes in the oocyte. The aim of this review is to examine the impact of different adverse intrauterine conditions on the reproductive system of the female offspring. It focuses on the effects of exposure to maternal undernutrition, overnutrition/obesity, hypoxia, smoking, steroid excess, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and pollutants during gestation and draws on data from human and animal studies to illuminate underlying mechanisms. The available data indeed indicate that adverse gestational environments alter the reproductive physiology of female offspring with consequences for future reproductive capacity. These alterations are mediated via programmed changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and the structure and function of reproductive tissues, particularly the ovaries. Reproductive programming may be observed as a change in the timing of puberty onset and menopause/reproductive decline, altered menstrual/estrous cycles, polycystic ovaries, and elevated risk of reproductive tissue cancers. These reproductive outcomes can affect the fertility and fecundity of the female offspring; however, further work is needed to better define the possible impact of these programmed changes on subsequent generations.
Topics: Animals; Embryonic Development; Female; Fertility; Genitalia, Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Reproduction; Sexual Maturation
PubMed: 33354727
DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa232 -
The Journal of International Medical... Jun 2020We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and prognosis of 22 patients with -induced reproductive system injury. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and prognosis of 22 patients with -induced reproductive system injury.
METHODS
We assessed 22 patients with reproductive system injury between 2010 and 2018 at The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University.
RESULTS
The disease is predominant in men. Male patients had orchitis, erectile dysfunction, prostatitis, and urethral stricture, while female patients had vaginitis and cervicitis. Some patients had laboratory abnormalities and liver injury. Patients received combination therapy of rifampicin and doxycycline. Doxycycline combined with levofloxacin or moxifloxacin was administered to patients with rifampicin intolerance. All patients had received antibiotic therapy for at least 6 weeks. One patient was lost to follow-up, one patient relapsed because of osteoarthropathy, and one patient had dysuria resulting from chronic prostatitis. The clinical symptoms resolved in the other patients, and the overall patient prognosis was good.
CONCLUSION
Clinicians should pay attention to brucellosis-induced reproductive system damage. The two-drug regimen of rifampicin+doxycycline is recommended for these patients. Doxycycline combined with levofloxacin or moxifloxacin should be used in patients with brucellosis-induced reproductive system damage who have rifampicin intolerance. The treatment course should be at least 6 weeks.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Brucella; Brucellosis; China; Doxycycline; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Genitalia; Humans; Levofloxacin; Male; Middle Aged; Moxifloxacin; Retrospective Studies; Rifampin
PubMed: 32552113
DOI: 10.1177/0300060520924548 -
European Review For Medical and... Jan 2021The objective of this review is to provide currently available information on the potential effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on male fertility. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this review is to provide currently available information on the potential effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on male fertility.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This is a mini-review. Due to the similarity between the COVID-19 and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus, we searched for the following keywords: "SARS-CoV, male reproductive system, infertility, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, and orchitis". By reviewing and analyzing the literature, we analyzed the influence of temperature on sperm, the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in the testes, and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the male reproductive system.
RESULTS
SARS-CoV-2 enters the body through the ACE2 receptor. The high expression of ACE2 on the surface of spermatogonia and supporting cells in the testes, as well as the immune response caused by COVID-19, can lead to testicular spermatogenesis dysfunction and reduced sperm count.
CONCLUSIONS
COVID-19 infection can affect male reproductive function, and standard treatment strategies should be established in time to help male patients infected with COVID-19.
Topics: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2; COVID-19; Genitalia, Male; Humans; Male; Orchitis; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 33577068
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202101_24682 -
Journal of Reproductive Immunology Nov 2021Over the past two decades, nanotechnology has been involved in an array of applications in various fields, including diagnostic kits, disease treatment, drug... (Review)
Review
Over the past two decades, nanotechnology has been involved in an array of applications in various fields, including diagnostic kits, disease treatment, drug manufacturing, drug delivery, and gene therapy. But concerns about the toxicity of nanoparticles have greatly hindered their use; also, due to their increasing use in various industries, all members of society are exposed to the toxicity of these nanoparticles. Nanoparticles have a negative impact on various organs, including the reproductive system. They also can induce abortion in women, reduce fetal growth and development, and can damage the reproductive system and sperm morphology in men. In some cases, it has been observed that despite the modification of nanoparticles in composition, concentration, and method of administration, there is still damage to the reproductive organs. Therefore, understanding how nanoparticles affect the reproductive system is of very importance. In several studies, the nanoparticle toxicity effect on the genital organs has been investigated at the clinical and molecular levels using the in vivo and in vitro models. This study reviews these investigations and provides important data on the toxicity, hazards, and safety of nanoparticles in the reproductive system to facilitate the optimal use of nanoparticles in the industry.
Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Fetal Growth Retardation; Genital Diseases; Genitalia; Humans; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Pregnancy
PubMed: 34583090
DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2021.103384 -
Yi Chuan = Hereditas Jun 2023In recent years, the rate of female infertility in China has been increasing, posing an urgent challenge to improve fertility. A healthy reproductive system is essential... (Review)
Review
In recent years, the rate of female infertility in China has been increasing, posing an urgent challenge to improve fertility. A healthy reproductive system is essential for successful reproduction, and -methyladenosine (mA) is the most abundant chemical modification in eukaryotes and plays a critical role in cellular processes. Recent studies have shown that mA modifications also have a keying effect in various physiological and pathological processes in the female reproductive system, although their regulatory mechanisms and biological functions remain unclear. In this review, we first introduce the reversible regulatory mechanisms of mA and its functions, discuss the role of mA in female reproductive function and disorders of the reproductive system, and present recent advances in mA detection technologies and methods. Our review provides new insights into the biological role of mA and its potential application in the treatment of female reproductive disorders.
Topics: Female; Humans; Adenosine; China; Eukaryota; Genitalia, Female
PubMed: 37340962
DOI: 10.16288/j.yczz.23-071