Molecular And Cellular Advances In Endometriosis Research

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial-like endometrial cells, glands, and stroma outside the uterus, causing a strong inflammatory-like microenvironment in the affected tissue. The exact prevalence of endometriosis is unknown, but estimates range from 2%-10% of women of reproductive age to 50% of infertile women. The etiopathogenesis of endometriosis remains controversial-immune, hormonal, genetic, and epigenetic factors may all be involved, and several theories have been proposed to explain it. This book aims to summarize some of the most recent advancements in basic and translational science (immunology, cell biology, genetics, and epigenetics) in the field of endometriosis that may create new scenarios and change our perspective of the topic.

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial-like endometrial cells, glands, and stroma outside the uterus, causing a strong inflammatory-like microenvironment in the affected tissue. The exact prevalence of endometriosis is unknown, but estimates range from 2%-10% of women of reproductive age to 50% of infertile women. The etiopathogenesis of endometriosis remains controversial--immune, hormonal, genetic, and epigenetic factors may all be involved, and several theories have been proposed to explain it.This book aims to summarize some of the most recent advancements in basic and translational science (immunology, cell biology, genetics, and epigenetics) in the field of endometriosis that may create new scenarios and change our perspective of the topic.

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial-like endometrial cells, glands, and stroma outside the uterus, causing a strong inflammatory-like microenvironment in the affected tissue. The exact prevalence of endometriosis is unknown, but estimates range from 2%-10% of women of reproductive age, to 50% of infertile women. Its etiopathogenesis of endometriosis still remains controversial--immune, hormonal, genetic, and epigenetic factors may be all involved, and several theories have been proposed to explain it.This book aims to summarize recent ground-breaking studies that may open new scenarios and change the perspective of the topic, including cutting-edge elements about diagnosis, pharmacologic and surgical treatments, as well as basic/translational science (immunology, cell biology, genetics, and epigenetics) pieces of evidence, to unravel new pathways to follow for the future diagnosis and management of endometriosis, and to improve our current knowledge of its aetiology.

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In vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have become a significant part of human reproduction, with already one in 50 children worldwide being born through ART and the demand steadily increasing. To accommodate the various kinds of infertility problems, new methods have been developed to increase IVF and ART success rates and it has also become possible to treat sperm, eggs, and embryos in culture to improve reproductive success, to increase the health state of an embryo, and to prevent disease in the developing child. Human Reproduction: Updates and New Horizons focuses on recent developments and new approaches to study egg and sperm cells and embryo development, as well as addressing the increasing demand for IVF and ART to overcome infertility problems of various kinds that are encountered by an increasing number of couples worldwide. The book includes 10 chapters written by experts in their specific fields to provide information on sperm selection techniques and their relevance to ART; In vitro maturation of human oocytes: current practices and future promises; Molecular biology of endometriosis; Novel immunological aspects for the treatment of age-induced ovarian and testicular infertility, other functional diseases, and early and advanced cancer immunotherapy; Mitochondrial manipulation for infertility treatment and disease prevention; Novel imaging techniques to assess gametes and preimplantation embryos; Clinical application of methods to select in vitro fertilized embryos; New horizons/developments in time-lapse morphokinetic analysis of mammalian embryos; The non-human primate model for early human development; Cytoskeletal functions, defects, and dysfunctions affecting human fertilization and embryo development. This book will appeal to a large interdisciplinary audience, including researchers from both the basic science and medical communities. It will be a valuable reference for IVF clinicians, patients and prospective patients who are considering ART procedures, embryologists, cell biologists and students in the field of reproduction.

Adolescent endometriosis is a previously overlooked disease in children, the true prevalence of which is still unknown but has been estimated between 19-73%. There are numerous initial challenges faced by adolescents suffering from delayed or undiagnosed endometriosis apart from experiencing chronic pain, such as: school/work absenteeism, false diagnoses/treatments, erroneous physician referrals, unnecessary radiological studies, radiation exposure, and emergency room visits as well as early exposure to narcotic pain medications and subsequent drug tolerance, resistance or even addiction. This text presents a clear history of physician and patient understanding and awareness of endometriosis in adolescents. It lays the groundwork for this condition with background information on endometriosis in general followed by a more focused look at endometriosis in adolescents. Leading experts in the field provide chapters on the different locations where endometriotic lesions can present in adolescents as well as identified risk factors and concomitant diseases of which it is important to be aware. In addition to the clinical presentation, this book also provides information on breaking down existing barriers, such as stigma, and current activism and awareness of this condition. Adolescent Endometriosis is a first-of-its-kind text that focuses exclusively on endometriosis in the adolescent population. Written by experts in the field, this book is a comprehensive resource for clinicians in all medical disciplines that treat adolescent age girls.

The endometrium goes through cyclical changes under the influence of hormones, and immune effectors in the endometrium change their populations cyclically as well. Dynamic changes in immune effectors determine endometrial cytokine and chemokine milieus and, consequently, the endometrial immune response. Endometrial immune responses have been shown to be important for trophoblast invasion and early pregnancy. Indeed, dysregulated endometrial inflammatory immune responses are associated with reproductive failures, such as recurrent pregnancy losses, repeated implantation failure, and gynecological diseases with oncogenic potential. Hence, the investigation of endometrial gene expression may predict infertility, gynecological and oncological conditions. This book presents the state of the art in endometrial gene expression as well as recent developmental findings relating to reproduction and reproductive disorders. It begins with a review of the genetic regulation of urogenital tract formation and molecular mechanism underlying the physiology of menstrual cycle before moving on to the current and emerging technological advances in molecular biology. Endometrial gene expressions of immune inflammatory conditions, viral infection, metabolic and nutritional conditions, and reproductive disorders are then presented in following chapters. Examples of the use and interpretation of gene expression in clinical scenarios including recurrent pregnancy losses, infertility and multiple implantation failures are presented with currently available endometrial gene analysis. Utilizing the latest evidence and clinical guidelines, Endometrial Gene Expression will be a cutting-edge resource for gynecologist, reproductive immunologist, reproductive endocrinologists, obstetrician, maternal fetal medicine specialist and other health care providers in the field of reproductive medicine.

What are the objectives of the genetic study of individuals? There is great interest from the medical community and also much concern from the lay press about the potential benefits and harms of genetic screening, gene therapy, and even the possibility of cloning individuals. The current use of genetic tests for the detection and treatment of endometriosis is still at an early stage but very important. The determination of susceptibility markers will be increasingly explored in clinical studies and their uses will be much more defined. Still, it seems increasingly likely that major changes will occur over the next decade in how we evaluate and treat our patients. In particular, surgeons and clinicians will have the opportunity to use a number of new tests to predict the future appearance of endometriosis in patients still free of the disease. They may have the power to explore the best therapeutic modality for a particular patient according to his/her genetic makeup. And they will be able to more specifically target prevention measures for family members of people already affected by the disease. It should be understood that molecular diagnosis, especially in asymptomatic individuals, does not mean disease but an increased risk of developing a disease. Ethical implications exist and should not be underestimated. Patients should be advised about the likely implications of such tests, not only after but especially before the achievement of these. A major step has already been overcome and we currently have the basic tools for a new leap in understanding human pathologies responsible for much of the world's mortality. Bridging the great barrier that still separates this basic knowledge and clinical practice is quite a significant challenge.