Mathematical modeling of the female reproductive system: from oocyte to delivery

Abstract

From ovulation to delivery, and through the menstrual cycle, the female reproductive system undergoes many dynamic changes to provide an optimal environment for the embryo to implant, and to develop successfully. It is difficult ethically and practically to observe the system over the timescales involved in growth and development (often hours to days). Even in carefully monitored conditions clinicians and biologists can only see snapshots of the development process. Mathematical models are emerging as a key means to supplement our knowledge of the reproductive process, and to tease apart complexity in the reproductive system. These models have been used successfully to test existing hypotheses regarding the mechanisms of female infertility and pathological fetal development, and also to provide new experimentally testable hypotheses regarding the process of development. This new knowledge has allowed for improvements in assisted reproductive technologies and is moving toward translation to clinical practice via multiscale assessments of the dynamics of ovulation, development in pregnancy, and the timing and mechanics of delivery. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2017, 9:e1353. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1353 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.

Mechanobiology of the female reproductive system

“…Although computational models of the female reproductive system are not very new, until now, very limited studies have developed computational mechanobiology models to investigate the female reproductive system, 162 partly because of the lack of high‐quality experimental data on mechanobiology. 163 More than 50 years ago, computational models were used to reveal theoretical ovum transport mechanisms in the oviduct.…”

Biomechanics of Early Life in the Female Reproductive Tract

“…The nonpregnant uterine wall is a dynamic structure that undergoes periodic deformations due to spontaneous contractions of the myometrial smooth muscles. Details on the biomechanics of uterine peristalsis may be found in previous reviews (17,18,34,68), and here we provide a brief summary. Myometrial contractions induce periodic displacements at the interface between the endometrium and the intrauterine fluid, which yield a peristaltic-like intrauterine fluid motion.…”

Endothelins and their receptors in embryo implantation

“…90 An intricate interaction between embryo and endometrium at early phases of oocyte maturation regulates embryo implantation. 94 This communication results in the synchronous development of the oocyte and the endometrium acquiring receptivity, followed by blastocyst implantation in the endometrium. 95 Determining the precise role of the various hormones and factors in this communication makes it possible to use them as predictive indices for embryo quality or endometrial receptivity to increase the implantation rates of ART (Assisted reproductive technology).…”