Research in Reproduction: Challenges, Needs, and Opportunities

Ivell, Richard

doi:10.3389/fphys.2017.00046

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Currently, information of human uterine contraction patterns is not used to analyse uterine status for clinical interventions such as prediction of the optimal time for embryo transfer after in vitro fertilization or detection of pathologies due to absence of detailed knowledge on the relationship of uterine contractions to its function [30]. In addition, new methodologies, for both research and clinical utilization, are required for improvement of the current substantial early pregnancy loss (about 60%) in domestic livestock [29]. The mouse is a frequent animal model for understanding human pathophysiology, and thus the biomechanical features of mouse uterine contractions at different stages require comprehensive investigations in order to explore the regulation of uterine contractions for important reproductive issues.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These non-pregnant myometrial contractions have pivotal roles in the mechanisms responsible for successful reproduction, development of infertility and the aetiology of uterine diseases [2,13,17,21 -28]. Uterine peristalsis is among the research challenges and required needs for implementation in more optimized clinical routines of reproductive diagnosis [29]. Currently, information of human uterine contraction patterns is not used to analyse uterine status for clinical interventions such as prediction of the optimal time for embryo transfer after in vitro fertilization or detection of pathologies due to absence of detailed knowledge on the relationship of uterine contractions to its function [30].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Currently, information of human uterine contraction patterns is not used to analyse uterine status for clinical interventions such as prediction of the optimal time for embryo transfer after in vitro fertilization or detection of pathologies due to absence of detailed knowledge on the relationship of uterine contractions to its function [30]. In addition, new methodologies, for both research and clinical utilization, are required for royalsocietypublishing.org/journal/rsfs Interface Focus 9: 20180082 improvement of the current substantial early pregnancy loss (about 60%) in domestic livestock [29].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Analysis of in vivo uterine peristalsis in the non-pregnant female mouse

et al. 2019

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Uterine peristalsis due to spontaneous contractions of the myometrial smooth muscles has important roles in pre-implantation processes of intra-uterine sperm transport to the fertilization site, and then embryo transport to the implantation sites. We developed a new objective methodology to study in vivo uterine peristalsis in female mice during the pro-oestrus phase. The acquisition procedure of the uterine organ is remote without interfering with the organ function. The uniqueness of the new approach is that video images of physiological pattern were converted using image processing and new algorithms to biological time-dependent signals that can be processed with existing algorithms for signal processing. Using this methodology we found that uterine peristalsis in the pro-oestrus mouse is in the range of 0.008–0.029 Hz, which is about one contraction per minute and with fairly symmetric contractions that occasionally propagate caudally. This rate of contractions is similar to that of human uterine peristalsis acquired in vivo , which is important information for a popular animal model.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Currently, information of human uterine contraction patterns is not used to analyse uterine status for clinical interventions such as prediction of the optimal time for embryo transfer after in vitro fertilization or detection of pathologies due to absence of detailed knowledge on the relationship of uterine contractions to its function [30]. In addition, new methodologies, for both research and clinical utilization, are required for royalsocietypublishing.org/journal/rsfs Interface Focus 9: 20180082 improvement of the current substantial early pregnancy loss (about 60%) in domestic livestock [29].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Analysis of in vivo uterine peristalsis in the non-pregnant female mouse

et al. 2019

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“…Although there have been recent, major advancements in reproductive research, key questions remain unresolved due to the complexity of the FRT and the lack of tractable experimental systems [8]. This is particularly true with regard to understanding the normal physiology and molecular regulation of the human FRT.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Organoids of the female reproductive tract

Chumduri

Turco

2021

J Mol Med

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Healthy functioning of the female reproductive tract (FRT) depends on balanced and dynamic regulation by hormones during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and childbirth. The mucosal epithelial lining of different regions of the FRT—ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix and vagina—facilitates the selective transport of gametes and successful transfer of the zygote to the uterus where it implants and pregnancy takes place. It also prevents pathogen entry. Recent developments in three-dimensional (3D) organoid systems from the FRT now provide crucial experimental models that recapitulate the cellular heterogeneity and physiological, anatomical and functional properties of the organ in vitro. In this review, we summarise the state of the art on organoids generated from different regions of the FRT. We discuss the potential applications of these powerful in vitro models to study normal physiology, fertility, infections, diseases, drug discovery and personalised medicine.

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State-of-the-art in reproductive bench science: Hurdles and new technological solutions

Felgueiras¹,

Ribeiro²,

Brevini

et al. 2020

Theriogenology

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Infertility is a growing issue in modern society, being the fifth highest serious global disability according to the World Health Organization. To study infertility and other reproductive system complications, bench science still relies on 2D and animal studies, which regularly have been criticized due to their inability to mimic the human body. Particular challenges in 2D studies include the inability to mimic fluid dynamics, gametes modulation and their crosstalk, hormonal patterns as well as the low quality and viability of gametes and embryos. Animal models also present other drawbacks, namely the absence of menstruation, making it difficult to establish a reliable predictive model for the human system. Additionally, reproductive studies should not be limited to the fallopian tube as the sole responsible for most infertility cases, but instead the research spectrum should be widened to the whole reproductive system given the tight interconnectivity between each and every organ. In the last few decades, new in vitro technologies have been developed and applied to the study of reproductive system complications. These systems allow to create complex three-dimensional structures, which are therefore able to more closely resemble specific microenvironments and 2 provide more realistic physical and biochemical cues. 3D (bio)printing, organoids and organs-on-chips are some of the dynamic technologies which are replacing conventionally employed static 2D culture. Herein, we provide an overview of the challenges found in conventional 2D and animal models of the reproductive system and present potential technological solutions for those same challenges.

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Research in Reproduction: Challenges, Needs, and Opportunities

Cited by 6 publications

References 23 publications

Analysis of in vivo uterine peristalsis in the non-pregnant female mouse

Analysis of in vivo uterine peristalsis in the non-pregnant female mouse

Organoids of the female reproductive tract

State-of-the-art in reproductive bench science: Hurdles and new technological solutions

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