Seminars in reproductive medicine

Numerous tests and interventions have been proposed for optimizing performance in preparation for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. We critically appraised the available evidence underpinning some of the popular investigations and tre…

Human endometrial mucosa is a dynamically remodeling tissue, undergoing cyclical morphologic and functional changes in response to fluctuating sex steroid hormones each menstrual cycle during a woman's reproductive life. Postmenopausal endo…

The uterus is a unique organ that cyclically and repeatedly exhibits structural and functional changes to prepare for the acceptance of embryos and to subsequently maintain pregnancy throughout the reproductive period. During pregnancy, the…

Endometriosis is a chronic disease mostly affecting women at reproductive age. There is a clear association between endometriosis and infertility; however, exact mechanisms are unknown. Some evidence suggests an adverse effect on oocytes. E…

Human endometrium is a dynamic organ that normally undergoes repetitive cyclic regeneration. To enable this rapid regeneration, it is not surprising that the endometrium contains a reservoir of progenitor stem cells. However, this pool of c…

Embryo implantation is regulated by an inflammatory process in response to sequential exposure to estrogen and progesterone, followed by resolution and repair. The actions of estrogen and progesterone on these inflammatory processes are tig…

Although an altered vaginal microbiota has been demonstrated to affect parturition, its role in assisted reproductive technologies is uncertain. Nevertheless, the effect of known pathogens such as Mycoplasma tuberculosis, Chlamydia trachoma…

Due to the confounding or unknown presence of endometriosis in both cases and controls, it is difficult to test the hypothesis that adenomyosis causes infertility. Based on the limited available evidence, there is evidence to support a caus…

Endometriosis is a disease that affects a significant proportion of reproductive-age women. The impact of the disease on ovarian reserve is an important consideration when planning treatment in women who want to maintain their potential for…

Endometriomas in the assisted reproductive technology patient present a challenging clinical scenario for the infertility specialist. Although surgical management is often pursued in cases of pain or large cyst diameter, patients without su…

In vitro fertilization (IVF) represents the most efficient means of overcoming endometriosis-related infertility. Compromised pelvic anatomy and a hostile peritoneal environment are bypassed. Despite the results of early trials, more contem…

The endometrium is ground zero when it comes to understanding how implantation occurs and how it might also fail, resulting in infertility or pregnancy loss. Many of the causes of diminished uterine receptivity are acquired during a woman's…

Superovulation (SO)/Intrauterine insemination (IUI) has been used as a treatment approach for endometriosis-associated infertility. The existing medical literature regarding SO in endometriosis patients is composed of heterogeneous studies …

Outcomes of in vitro fertilization cycles in women with endometriosis are significantly worse than in patients without this condition. The impact of endometriosis on ovarian reserve and the quality of retrieved oocytes seems evident. Lower …

The association between endometriosis and subfertility is well known and has been the object of intense research in the last decades. However, the potential association between endometriosis and adverse pregnancy outcome has not been studie…

Endometriosis has the potential to disrupt the lives of women of reproductive age through several manifestations: dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and subfertility. This issue focuses on subfertility with the goal of elaborat…

Analysis of published series reveals that no more than a fourth of subfertile patients undergoing surgery for peritoneal endometriotic implants, rectovaginal endometriotic lesions, or recurrent endometriomas achieved conception spontaneousl…

The existence of human endometrial somatic stem cells was proposed in the mid-20th century for the first time. This hypothesis became stronger and was revised by two authors between 1978 and 1989. Nevertheless, it was not until 2004 that sc…

Although there is an apparent association between endometriosis and impaired fertility, the pathophysiology of the reduced fecundity in women with endometriosis still remains unclear. Reproduction is a complex and multifactorial process, an…

The evaluation of cancer risk among patients treated for infertility is complex, given the need to consider indications for use, treatment details, and the effects of other factors (including parity status) that independently affect cancer …

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease. The biologically active estrogen, estradiol, aggravates the pathological processes (e.g., inflammation and growth) and the symptoms (e.g., pain) associated with endometriosis. Abundant quantit…

Steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) (Ad4BP, NR5A1) is a nuclear receptor that plays a key role in adrenal and reproductive development and function. Deletion of the gene encoding Sf-1 (Nr5a1) in mice results in severe developmental defects of the…

Asherman's syndrome is being diagnosed with increasing frequency. Although it usually occurs following curettage of the pregnant or recently pregnant uterus, any uterine surgery can lead to intrauterine adhesions (IUA). Most women with IUA …

Unexplained and recurrent loss of pregnancies is a heartbreaking and frustrating condition. The routine diagnostic workup for pregnancy loss includes hormonal evaluation, screening for genetic or chromosomal defects, immunologic and thrombo…