Uterine leiomyomas: effects on architectural, cellular, and molecular determinants of endometrial receptivity

Abstract

Impaired endometrial receptivity is an important contributing factor to implantation failure. Uterine leiomyomas are widely prevalent steroid hormone-dependent benign tumors that act as a restraint to conception and successful outcome of pregnancies. Reports are available, which suggest that leiomyomas have negative influence on endometrial receptivity to blastocyst implantation. The aim of the present review is to provide a comprehensive picture of the current knowledge of the effect of uterine leiomyomas on the architectural, cellular, and molecular determinants of endometrial receptivity. Understanding the potential role of these factors will provide insight into the underlying mechanisms of leiomyoma-associated infertility and provide new areas for basic and translational research.

Keywords: endometrial receptivity; implantation; infertility; leiomyoma; putative markers of endometrial receptivity.