Inflammatory pathways in female reproductive health and disease

Abstract

Inflammation involves alterations to vascular and immune cell function. It is well recognised that many physiological reproductive events such as ovulation, menstruation, implantation and onset of labour display hallmark signs of inflammation. These are orchestrated by specific molecular pathways involving a host of growth factors, cytokines, chemokines and lipid mediators. Resumption of normal reproductive function involves prompt and proper resolution of these inflammatory pathways. Recent literature confirms that resolution of inflammatory pathways involves specific biochemical events that are activated to re-establish homeostasis in the affected tissue. Moreover, initiation and maintenance of inflammatory pathways are the key components of many pathologies of the reproductive tract and elsewhere in the body. The onset of reproductive disorders or disease may be the result of exacerbated activation and maintenance of inflammatory pathways or their dysregulated resolution. This review will address the role of inflammatory events in normal reproductive function and its pathologies.

Novel insights into the mechanisms of pregnancy establishment: regulation of prostaglandin synthesis and signaling in the pig

“…Implantation displays hallmark signs of inflammation (Jabbour et al 2009). However, both pro-and antiinflammatory pathways are involved in establishment of the receptive endometrium and activation of them is tightly controlled.…”

“…However, both pro-and antiinflammatory pathways are involved in establishment of the receptive endometrium and activation of them is tightly controlled. Overactivation of inflammatory pathways leads to the onset of reproductive disorders or diseases (Jabbour et al 2009). For example, in pigs, highly localized and abundant expression of interferon g (IFNG), tumor necrosis factor a (TNF), and interleukin 1b (IL1B) in the endometrium is associated with arrested conceptus development between days 15 and 23 of pregnancy (Tayade et al 2007, Croy et al 2009).…”

BVDV alters uterine prostaglandin production during pregnancy recognition in cows

“…PGs) and recruitment of immune cells to the uterine endometrium (Jabbour et al 2009). PGE 2 (a vasodilator) is luteotrophic for maintaining progesterone secretion by the corpus luteum, whereas PGF 2α (a vasoconstrictor) is luteolytic (Weems et al 2006).…”

Polyunsaturated fatty acids modulate prostaglandin synthesis by ovine amnion cells in vitro

“…PGs influence many key processes in reproduction including ovulation (Carvalho et al 1989), luteolysis (McCracken et al 1970, Auletta & Flint 1988 and parturition (Thorburn 1991, Whittle et al 2000, Challis et al 2002, Mitchell & Taggart 2009 in numerous species (Weems et al 2006, Jabbour et al 2009. It is generally accepted that the onset of labour in most mammalian species including sheep is associated with an increase in n-6-derived two-series PGs , Olson 2003, Myatt & Sun 2010 produced by the intrauterine tissues (placenta, amnion, chorion, decidua/ endometrium and myometrium) (sheep: Rice et al 1990, 1995, Thorburn 1991, McLaren et al 1996, 2000guinea pig: Welsh et al 2005;human: Slater et al 1999, Sawdy et al 2000.…”