Epigenetics and Environmental Factors in Endometriosis and Female Infertility: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disorder linked to infertility, characterized by the growth of endometrial-like tissue. Epigenetic modifications and environmental factors play a crucial role in its pathogenesis and impact on female fertility. This meta-analysis focuses on epigenetic alterations, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA expression, alongside environmental influences like endocrine-disrupting chemicals, lifestyle, and diet. Understanding these interactions may provide new insights into disease mechanisms and therapeutic interventions. Eutopic endometrium in patients with endometriosis is characterized by aberrant expression of essential genes during the implantation window, leading to disturbance of endometrial receptivity. The pathomechanism of implantation failures in women with endometriosis remains unclear. The study establishes impaired DNA methylation patterns in eutopic tissue and reveals significant differences in histone acetylation and methylation in endometrium. The role of newly discovered proteins, TET proteins, in endometrial pathology is not yet fully understood. Medication targeting critical genes responsible for the aberrant gene expression pattern in eutopic endometrium may help treat infertility in women with endometriosis. Keywords: Endometriosis, Female Infertility, Epigenetics, DNA Methylation, Environmental Factors, Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals, MicroRNAs, Histone Modifications, Epigenetic Therapy, Lifestyle Interventions, Epigenetic Diagnosis.