Human immunodeficiency: Extragonadal comorbidities of infertility in women

Abstract

Introduction: Infertility is mediated by several changes system-wide. These changes are likely to cause other systems-related pathologies, such as changes in systemic immune response, particularly inflammatory response can lead to cardiovascular diseases and breast cancer.

Methods: These morbidities can exist immediately or years after the diagnosis of infertility. Therefore, understanding the mechanism is important to move toward therapeutic interventions.

Results: Several extragonadal pathologies are reported due to infertility, as well as, how these might also contribute to reproductive disabilities. Detailed evidence are still not present that can give stronger result.

Conclusion: This review highlights some of the most frequent comorbidities that are seen in infertile women, hence requiring a need for complete clinical screening and care, as well as diagnosis and treatment in early stages.

Keywords: extragonadal comorbidities; infertile women; infertility.

Figure 1

Various phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome

Figure 2

Effects of extragonadal comorbidities in relation to infertility. Figure shows changes that can lead that are seen in case of infertility and respective pathological condition (blue color: cardiovascular disease, red color: metabolic syndrome and diabetes, yellow color: thyroid dysfunction, purple color: liver disease, green color: breast cancer). BRCA, breast related cancer antigen; CRP, C‐reactive protein; IL‐6, interleukin 6; TNF‐α, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha

Figure 3

Stress induces the production of ghrelin (green), GABA (blue), and adrenaline and noradrenaline (yellow). The figure shows how they pose effects on reproductive system and have potencies to cause reproductive dysfunction. GABA, gamma aminobutyric acid; LH, luteinizing hormone