About this Research Topic
Reproduction is a fundamental feature of all known life and refers to the physiological process in which organisms produce offspring to support species’ long-term survival. It involves a series of complex physiological processes that support our reproduction capacity. These include the development and maturation of male and female germ cells, menstruation, ovulation, fertilization, embryonic and fetal development, implantation and placental development, and parturition.
Perhaps surprisingly, inflammation is central to reproductive success, and it is becoming increasingly recognized that inflammation is an important contributing factor to both normal physiology and pathologies of reproduction. In the female, events including ovulation, menstruation, implantation, parturition are all associated with the induction of inflammatory mediators in a tightly controlled manner. Similarly, in males, the development and function of testes and epididymis are influenced by a tightly regulated immune microenvironment. Emerging studies have demonstrated that the maternal immune environment at conception is even established in part due to paternal contributions carried by seminal plasma. Additionally, correct programming of the maternal immune environment supports implantation and subsequent pregnancy success.
Inflammation contributes to the normal physiology of reproduction and is an important factor affecting pathologies of reproduction. For example, several common reproductive pathologies in women, including polycystic ovarian syndrome, premature ovarian failure, and endometriosis, are associated with immune dysregulation. Similarly, in men, sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhoeae lead to inflammation within the male reproductive tract and are linked with male infertility. Furthermore, pregnancy complications such as recurrent miscarriage, preeclampsia and pre-term birth are linked with the dysregulation of various inflammatory pathways.
The goal of this Research Topic is to bring together emerging knowledge surrounding the role of the inflammatory response in reproduction. We aim to assemble a series of articles that highlight cutting-edge basic and clinical research surrounding the contributions of the inflammatory response in the physiology and pathology of reproduction. These manuscripts are expected to be in the form of Original Research, Reviews, and Commentary articles – and will highlight the gaps in current knowledge and assist in understanding how inflammation contributes to normal reproductive function providing us insights into how immune dysregulation may influence diseases.
Perhaps surprisingly, inflammation is central to reproductive success, and it is becoming increasingly recognized that inflammation is an important contributing factor to both normal physiology and pathologies of reproduction. In the female, events including ovulation, menstruation, implantation, parturition are all associated with the induction of inflammatory mediators in a tightly controlled manner. Similarly, in males, the development and function of testes and epididymis are influenced by a tightly regulated immune microenvironment. Emerging studies have demonstrated that the maternal immune environment at conception is even established in part due to paternal contributions carried by seminal plasma. Additionally, correct programming of the maternal immune environment supports implantation and subsequent pregnancy success.
Inflammation contributes to the normal physiology of reproduction and is an important factor affecting pathologies of reproduction. For example, several common reproductive pathologies in women, including polycystic ovarian syndrome, premature ovarian failure, and endometriosis, are associated with immune dysregulation. Similarly, in men, sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhoeae lead to inflammation within the male reproductive tract and are linked with male infertility. Furthermore, pregnancy complications such as recurrent miscarriage, preeclampsia and pre-term birth are linked with the dysregulation of various inflammatory pathways.
The goal of this Research Topic is to bring together emerging knowledge surrounding the role of the inflammatory response in reproduction. We aim to assemble a series of articles that highlight cutting-edge basic and clinical research surrounding the contributions of the inflammatory response in the physiology and pathology of reproduction. These manuscripts are expected to be in the form of Original Research, Reviews, and Commentary articles – and will highlight the gaps in current knowledge and assist in understanding how inflammation contributes to normal reproductive function providing us insights into how immune dysregulation may influence diseases.
Keywords: Inflammasomes, infertility, NLRP, germ cell, embryo development, pregnancy, inflammatory response, fetal development
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