Mesenchymal Stem Cell-based Therapy and Female Infertility: Limitations and Advances

Abstract

Infertility in women can be caused by various female reproductive diseases such as premature ovarian failure (POF), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis and Asherman syndrome that affect couples' quality of life and lead to mental, emotional, and physical problems. In recent years, clinical researchers have sought infertility treatments using new methods that are more effective and noninvasive than the old methods. Today, stem cell-based therapy has been introduced as a promising method and an alternative to the old strategy of infertility treatment. Understanding the main features and functional perspective of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the future of infertility by physicians is crucial. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells with a high proliferation range, abundant source and multidirectional differentiation potential. They have a high potential for the treatment of injured tissues in regenerative medicine through cell homing, secretion of active factors, and participation in immune regulation. At present, due to fewer ethical restrictions on the use of mesenchymal stem cells compared to embryonic stem cells, more attention has been paid to these cells as a new treatment for gynecological disorders. In this paper, we first review the various type of female reproductive disorders along with their common treatment methods, then we evaluate the recent advances in the application of MSCs in the diseases related to infertility and improve the reproductive health of women worldwide.

Keywords: Pluripotent stem cell; assisted reproductive technologies; biotechnologies of reproduction; cell-based therapy; female reproduction; mesenchymal stem cells.