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Review
. 2017 Jan 24;8(4):7138-7147.
doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.12577.

Implications of immune dysfunction on endometriosis associated infertility

Jessica E Miller  1 , Soo Hyun Ahn  1 , Stephany P Monsanto  1 , Kasra Khalaj  1 , Madhuri Koti  1 , Chandrakant Tayade  1
Affiliations
Review

Implications of immune dysfunction on endometriosis associated infertility

Jessica E Miller et al. Oncotarget. .

Abstract

Endometriosis is a complex, inflammatory disease that affects 6-10% of reproductive-aged women. Almost half of the women with endometriosis experience infertility. Despite the excessive prevalence, the pathogenesis of endometriosis and its associated infertility is unknown and a cure is not available. While many theories have been suggested to link endometriosis and infertility, a consensus among investigators has not emerged. In this extensive review of the literature as well as research from our laboratory, we provide potential insights into the role of immune dysfunction in endometriosis associated infertility. We discuss the implication of the peritoneal inflammatory microenvironment on various factors that contribute to infertility such as hormonal imbalance, oxidative stress and how these could further lead to poor oocyte, sperm and embryo quality, impaired receptivity of the endometrium and implantation failure.

Keywords: cytokines; endometriosis; infertility; inflammation; oxidative stress.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS

The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Overview of the underlying contributors to unexplained infertility associated with endometriosis
Hierarchical arrows indicate a potential link between various factors contributing to unexplained infertility associated with endometriosis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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